Muscles / Head & neck
Semispinalis cervicis
- Head & neck
- Neck
- Deep layer
Anatomy
- Origin
- Transverse processes of T1-T6
- Insertion
- Spinous processes of C2-C5
- Nerve
- Posterior rami of cervical and thoracic spinal nerves
Actions
- Extends the cervical spine
- Rotates it to the opposite side
Notes
- A deep cervical extensor. Shows altered structure (fat infiltration) in chronic neck pain.
References (5)
- Schomacher J, Falla D. Man Ther. 2013;18(5):360-366. Function and structure of the deep cervical extensor muscles in patients with neck pain
- Standring S, ed. Elsevier. Gray's Anatomy: The Anatomical Basis of Clinical Practice. 42nd ed.
- Dalley AF, Agur AMR. Wolters Kluwer. Moore's Clinically Oriented Anatomy. 9th ed.
- Neumann DA. Elsevier. Kinesiology of the Musculoskeletal System: Foundations for Rehabilitation. 3rd ed.
- Betts JG, Young KA, Wise JA, et al. OpenStax (free, openly licensed textbook). Anatomy and Physiology 2e