Posterior Neck Muscles Quiz and Flashcards

Which muscle is responsible for flexing the head and elevating the sternum during forced inhalation?

What is the primary action of the semispinalis capitis during bilateral contraction?

Which of the following muscles assists in rotating the head to the side opposite the contracting muscle?

What is the innervation of the longissimus capitis?

How does the splenium capitis function during single contraction?

Identify the common origin point for the splenium capitis.

Which muscle's actions include lateral flexion and rotation of the head to the same side as the contracting muscle?

Which of these muscles is NOT involved in extending the head during bilateral actions?

What is a key action of the sternocleidomastoid during single muscle contraction?

Posterior Neck Muscles that Move the Head - Side to Side

Sternocleidomastoid
- Origin: sternum and clavicle
- Insertion: mastoid process of temporal bone
- Actions:
  - Bilateral actions:
    - Flex cervical portion of vertebral column
    - Flex head
    - Elevate sternum during forced inhalation
  - Single actions:
    - Laterally extend and rotate head to side opposite contracting muscle
- Innervation: Accessory nerve (CN XI)
Semispinalis capitis
- Origin: transverse processes of 1st, 6th or 7th thoracic vertebrae and 7th cervical vertebra and articular processes of 4th, 5th and 6th cervical vertebrae
- Insertion: occipital bone between superior and inferior nuchal lines
- Action:
  - Bilateral actions: Extend head
  - Single actions: Rotate head to side opposite contracting muscle
- Innervation: cervical spinal nerves
Splenius capitis
- Origin: ligamentum nuchae and spinous processes of 7th cervical vertebra and first three or four thoracic vertebrae
- Insertion: occipital bone and mastoid process of temporal bone
- Actions:
  - Bilateral actions: Extend head
  - Single actions: Laterally flex and rotate head to same side as contracting muscle
- Innervation: cervical spinal nerves
Longissimus capitis
- Origin: transverse processes of upper four thoracic vertebrae and articular processes of last four cervical vertebrae
- Insertion: mastoid process of temporal bone
- Actions:
  - Bilateral actions: Extend head
  - Single actions: Laterally flex and rotate head to same side as contracting muscle
- Innervation: cervical spinal nerves

Test your knowledge on the posterior neck muscles that facilitate head movement. This quiz covers the key muscles including the sternocleidomastoid, semispinalis capitis, and their actions and innervations. Perfect for students studying anatomy or related fields!