Cervical Spine

Origin:

• TP C1-C4

Insertion:

• SP T3-T6

Nerve:

• Posterior rami of spinal nerves

Action:

Cervical rotation (ipsilateral) and extension

Splenius Cervicis

Origin:

• Occiput-superior nuchal line-mastoid

Insertion:

• SP C7-T3

Nerve:

• Posterior rami of spinal neves

Action:

• Craniocervical rotation (ipsilateral), extension

Splenius Capitis

Origin:

• TP C4-C6

Insertion:

• Rib angles 3-5

Nerve:

• Adjacent posterior rami

Action:

• Cervical spine extension, rotation and lateral flexion (ipsilaterally)

Iliocostalis Cervicis

Origin:

• TP C2-C6

Insertion:

• TP T1-T5

Nerve:

• Adjacent posterior rami

Action:

• Cervical spine extension, rotation and lateral flexion (ipsilaterally)

Longissimus cervicis

Origin:

• Mastoid process

Insertion:

• TP C5-C7

Nerve:

• Adjacent posterior rami

Action:

• Cervical spine extension, rotation and lateral flexion (ipsilaterally)

Longissimus Capitis

Origin:

• Inferior nuchal line of occiput

insertion:

• SP C2-T4, Lig. nuchae

Nerve:

• Adjacent posterior rami

Action:

• Cervical Spine Extension, Rotation, Lateral Flexion - Ipsilateral

Spinalis (Cervicis & Capitus)

Origin:

• SP C2-T4 and occiput

Insertion:

• TP C4-T10

Nerve:

• Adjacent posterior rami

Action:

• Extension and contralateral rotation

Semispinalis

Origin:

• SP C2-C7

Insertion:

• Superior articulating process C4-C7

Nerve:

• Posterior rami of adjacent spinal nerves

Action:

• Segmental stability, contralateral rotation and extension

Multifidus

Origin:

• Occiput - inferior nuchal line

Insertion:

• Posterior arch of atlas

Nerve:

• Suboccipital nerve (posterior ramus C1)

Action:

• Upper cervical extension, ipsilateral rotation

Rectus capitis minor

Origin:

• Occiput - inferior nuchal line

Insertion:

• SP axis (C2)

Nerve:

• Suboccipital nerve (posterior ramus C1)

Action:

• Upper Cervical Extension, Ipsilateral Rotation

Rectus capitis major

Origin:

• Occiput - between the two nuchal lines

Insertion:

• TP atlas (C1)

Nerve:

• Suboccipital nerve (posterior ramus C1)

Action:

• Upper Cervical Extension, Ipsilateral lateral flexion

Obliquus Capitis Superior

Origin:

• TP of atlas (C1)

Insertion:

• SP axis (C2)

Nerve:

• Suboccipital nerve (posterior ramus C1)

Action:

• Upper Cervical Extension, Ipsilateral Rotation

Obliquus Capitis Inferior

Origin:

• Mastoid process

Insertion:

• 2 heads:

  • Medial clavicle

  • Manubrium of sternum

Nerve:

• Accessory nerve (C11)

Action:

• Flexion, contralateral rotation

Sternocleidomastoid

Origin:

• Anterior tubercles of TP C3-C6

Insertion:

• Scalene tubercle of the 1st rib

Nerve:

• Anterior rami C5-C6

Action:

• Flexion, cervical lateral flexion, elevates 1st rib

Anterior Scalene

Origin:

• Posterior tubercle TP C2-C7

Insertion:

• Scalene tubercle of 1st rib

Nerve:

• Anterior rami C3-C8

Action:

• Elevation 1st rib, Cervical lateral flexion

Middle Scalene

Origin:

• Posterior tubercle TP C5-C7

Insertion:

• Scalene tubercle of 2nd rib

Nerve:

• Anterior rami C6-C8

Action:

• Elevates 2nd rib, cervical lateral flexion

Posterior scalene

Origin:

• VBs C1-T4

Insertion:

• TP C3-C6

Nerve:

• Anterior rami C2-C6

Action:

• Flexion of the neck

Longus Colli

Origin:

• Base of occiput

Insertion:

• TP C3-C5

Nerve:

• Anterior rami C1-C4

Action:

• Flexion of the head

Longus Capitis

Origin:

• Base of Occiput

Insertion:

• Anterior arch atlas (C1)

Nerve:

• Anterior rami C1-C2

Action:

• Flexion of the head on the neck (nodding)

Rectus Capitus Anterior

Origin:

• Jugular process of occiput

Insertion:

• TP atlas (C1)

Nerve:

• Anterior rami C1

Action:

• Lateral flexion of head on neck, stabilises head

  on neck

Rectus Capitus Lateralis