16/03/2026
https://www.facebook.com/share/18CMHDzcMh/
The splenius cervicis is one of the posterior cervical muscles that lies deep to the upper fibres of the trapezius and inferior to the splenius capitis. It belongs to the splenius muscle group, which forms part of the superficial layer of the intrinsic back muscles in the neck region.
Anatomically, it runs obliquely upward and laterally from the upper thoracic spine toward the cervical transverse processes.
Origin
Spinous processes of T3–T6 and the supraspinous ligaments.
Insertion
Posterior tubercles of the transverse processes of C1–C3 (sometimes C4).
Innervation
Posterior rami of the lower cervical spinal nerves.
Functionally, its actions depend on whether one side or both sides are contracting.
When one side contracts (unilateral contraction), the muscle produces ipsilateral rotation and ipsilateral lateral flexion of the cervical spine. In other words, it turns and side-bends the head toward the same side as the contracting muscle.
When both sides contract (bilateral contraction), the splenius cervicis contributes to extension of the cervical spine, helping bring the head backward.
From a biomechanical perspective, the oblique fibre direction explains this behaviour. Because the fibres run superolaterally, shortening the muscle pulls the cervical transverse processes posteriorly and laterally, creating the combination of rotation and side bending.
Clinically, the splenius cervicis often becomes tender in people with neck pain or upper thoracic stiffness, particularly where there is reduced movement in the lower cervical or upper thoracic segments. Since it attaches from the thoracic spinous processes to the upper cervical transverse processes, it can influence motion across multiple cervical levels, linking thoracic and cervical mechanics.
