Splenius capitis muscle

The Musculus splenius (Latin for " strap muscle ") is a skeletal muscle, which is part of the superficial muscles of the neck. He belongs to the so-called spinotransversalen System ( Systema spinotransversale ) and is mostly covered by the sternocleidomastoid muscle. It is divided into two muscles: musculus splenius capitis ( strap muscle of the head) and musculus splenius cervicis ( strap muscle of the neck, is absent in carnivores ). The Musculus splenius capitis is developed particularly strong in males. It forms the basis of the so-called " stallion neck " or " bull neck ".

The muscle fibers originate with tendons of the neck band and the spinous processes of the sixth thoracic vertebra to fourth cervical vertebra and put on the transverse processes of further cephalad vertebra situated at. The splenius capitis muscle of Endportion ends on occiput ( occipital squama ).

When bilateral contraction of the muscle stretches the neck and raises his head. In unilateral contraction tends and he turns his head to the corresponding page.