SPLENIUS CAPITIS & CERVICIS MUSCLES ⠀ [ANATOMY, FUNCTION AND PATHOLOGY] ⠀ The splenius capitis attaches to the nuchal ligament of the cervical spine from approximately the level of C3 and down to the spinous processes to the level of approximately T3. From there, it travels superiorly and laterally to attach onto the mastoid process of the temporal bone and the lateral 1/3 to 1/2 of the superior nuchal line of the occiput. ⠀ A fun way to remember the direction of fibers of this muscle is that the bilateral splenius capitis muscles are known as the “golf tee” muscles because they hold the head the way a golf tee holds a golf ball (Pic 6). ➡️ If we know the fiber direction of a muscle; in other words, where and how it crosses a joint, we can figure out its actions! ⠀ The splenius capitis crosses the neck posteriorly so it extends the head and neck (sagittal plane). It crosses the cervical spinal joints on the side so it laterally flexes the head and neck to the same side (frontal plane). It wraps around the neck/head such that it would pull the mastoid process toward the spine so it causes same-side rotation (transverse plane). ⠀ The splenius muscles actual blend together as one muscle, but they are somewhat artificially divided as two separate muscles. The fibers that attach superiorly onto the head are separated as the splenius “capitis”. The fibers that attach superiorly onto the cervical spine are separated as the splenius “cervicis”. Where they overlap, the splenius cervicis is deep to the capitis. They have identical joint actions except that the capitis moves both the head and neck. Whereas the cervicis moves just the neck. ⠀ The splenii muscles can give you pain in the head/skull, on top of the head (vertex pain) and neck pain if they are too tight or contain trigger points (Pic 7/8). Furthermore it can give you pain when bending your neck backwards/forwards or when rotating your neck. ⠀ People that suffer from issues in the splenius muscles often experienced whiplash trauma or work long hours at the desk. Still, no matter how nasty the pain might feel, relief is possible!