The splenius capitis originates from the Greek word spléníon which means bandage.
Where is the Splenius Cervicis?
Splenius Cervicis tear and injury symptoms
A stiff neck in more mild cases but in severe Splenius cervicis muscle trauma there is pain radiating down the neck between the shoulders as the inability to turn your head due to severe pain.
The deep cervical muscles are fundamentally important for support of the cervical lordosis and the cervical joints, change in the feedforward response may leave the cervical spine vulnerable to reactive forces from arm movement.
This is one of the muscles affected by improper posture of the neck causing something called Forward head posture FHP.
What is the function of the Splenius Cervicis
The splenius cervicis muscle provides extension of the cervical spine, rotation of the head and lateral flexion.
The Splenius Muscles act in opposition to the Sternocleidomastoid muscle. These muscles pull you back towards the middle of the shoulders in your back while the Sternocleidomastoid muscles pull you forward.
Where is the Origin and Insertion of the Splenius Cervicis?
Origin:
The center of the spine between the shoulders on the spinous processes and supraspinous ligaments from T3 to T6
Insertion:
Top of the neck on the sides of the first three vertebra's posterior tubercles from C1 to C3
Stretches for the Splenius Cervicis
Strengthen the Splenius Cervicis
Muscle Relationship
The Splenius Capitis and Splenius Cervicis muscles work together the extend the head and neck
