Trunk (thorax, abdomen, back)
Spinalis Capitis
Musculus spinalis capitis
- Origin
- Spinous processes of C7 through T2
- Insertion
- Occipital bone, between the superior and inferior nuchal lines
- Function
- Extension of the head
- Innervation
- Dorsal rami of the cervical and thoracic spinal nerves
- Movement & chain
- Works together with semispinalis capitis and splenius capitis in extension of the head; often not sharply distinguishable from these muscles.
- Palpation
- Lies along the median nuchal line blended with semispinalis capitis; palpated just lateral to the external occipital protuberance.
- Clinical
- Assists head extension; chronically strained in forward head posture causing occipital headaches and suboccipital tension.
- Segmental innervation
- Dorsal rami C7-T2.
- In clinical practice
- Ergonomic patient repositioning (log-roll technique in spinal trauma) and pressure offloading; maintain neutral spinal alignment in bedridden patients.
- Region in the model
- Trunk (thorax, abdomen, back)