Author: Dr Peter de Souza
Last modified: 23 November 2023

The splenius capitis is one of the two spinotransversales muscles. These two muscles attach from the spinous processes to the liamentum nuchae, and are compromised of the splenius capitis and the splenius cervicis muscles.

Origin

  • Inferior 1/2 of ligamentum nuchae
  • Spinous processes of C7-T4

Insertion

  • Mastoid process
  • Skull inferior to lateral 1/3 of superior nuchal line

Action

  • Together: Extend neck
  • Individually: Rotate head to same side

Innervation

  • Posterior rami middle cervical nerves

Blood Supply

  • Muscular branches of occipital artery