What is the function of the splenius cervicis?

Description. Musculus splenius cervicis is one of the deep (or intrinsic) muscles of the cervical and thoracic spine. Its fibres run superiorly and laterally. It assists in ipsilateral cervical side flexion and rotation, when both splenius cervicis muscles contract they extend the cervical spine.

What causes splenius capitis pain?

Abnormal posture, accidents, and emotional distress are among the causes of Splenius Capitis Muscle Syndrome. The symptoms can feel similar to a migraine headache, and pain may be present at various sites: Pain at the rear of the head.

What do the splenius muscles do?

The function of the splenius cervicis is to coordinate the position of the head and neck during various body movements, such as standing up from a sitting position. It does so by producing the lateral flexion, rotation and extension of the neck.

What does capitis mean in muscles?

of the head
/ˈkæp.ɪ.tɪs/ a Latin word meaning “of the head,” used in the names of some muscles that are connected to the head.

How do I stretch my splenius cervicis?

Sit on a chair and let the head drop forward as much as possible. Place one or both hands on the head so the fingertips are touching the skull bone. Exhale and apply pressure gradually to deepen the stretch in the back of the neck. Hold the position for a couple minutes.

What action does the splenius capitis perform?

The splenius capitis is a deep muscle of the neck. It originates from the lower half of the nuchal ligament and the spinous processes of the 7th cervical vertebra and the superior 3 thoracic vertebrae. It inserts onto the mastoid process of the temporal bone. It acts to laterally flex and rotate the neck.

How do you relax splenius capitis?

Massage For Splenius Capitis Release

  1. Drop your shoulders so they’re not hunched up by your ears.
  2. Tuck your chin to your chest to stretch your neck.
  3. Place two or three fingertips on the back of your neck where your neck and shoulders meet.
  4. Press firmly and hold, releasing when the muscle feels more relaxed.

How do you get splenius capitis?

Place one finger on your sternocleidomastoid, rotate your neck to the opposite site and feel this muscle contracting. Then, move your finger slightly – maybe 1 cm – towards your spine until you feel a tiny well – not deeper than 0.5 cm –. Now you can palpate the splenius capitis.

How do you stretch your splenius capitis?

Anterior Extension Splenius Capitis Stretch Gently drop the chin to the chest. You should feel a stretch in the neck that follows all the way down to the shoulder blades. Resist against your hands creating tension on the head for five seconds. Then relax into the stretch for 15 seconds.

How do splenius muscles rotate the head?

Functions. Biletaral contraction of splenius capitis results in extension of the head on the neck. When it contracts unilaterally, it acts in synergy with the contralateral sternocleidomastoid muscle, resulting in lateral flexion and rotation of the head towards the ipsilateral side.

What is capitis anatomy?

Splenius capitis is a thick, flat muscle at the posterior aspect of the neck arising from the midline and extending superolaterally to the cervical vertebrae and, along with the splenius cervicis, comprise the superficial layer of intrinsic back muscles.