Splenius Muscle (Noun)
Meaning
Either of two flat muscles that extend from the upper vertebrae to the base of the skull and serve to rotate or flex or extend the head and neck.
Classification
Nouns denoting body parts.
Examples
- The splenius muscle runs from the spinous processes of the seventh cervical vertebra to the external occipital protuberance.
- Contracting the splenius muscle causes the head to rotate and extend to the same side.
- The splenius muscle works together with the semispinalis capitis muscle to produce lateral flexion of the head and neck.
- When the splenius muscle contracts unilaterally, it assists in rotating the head to the same side.
- The function of the splenius muscle is to extend and rotate the head and neck.