Splenius cervicis inserts on which structures?

Splenius cervicis inserts on which structures?

• A. Transverse processes C1-C3/4
• B. Mastoid process
• C. Spinous processes C5-T2
• D. Occipital bone

Answer: (A)

Splenius cervicis is the neck muscle that runs from the lower portion of the spine up to the upper cervical region, so its distal attachment sits on the transverse processes of the upper cervical vertebrae. In most anatomy references, this insertion is on C1 to C3 (sometimes listed as C4). This placement lets the muscle help extend the neck when both sides contract and rotate or laterally flex to the same side when acting unilaterally. The other sites mentioned belong to different attachments: the mastoid process and the occipital bone are where splenius capitis inserts, not cervicis, and inserting on the spinous processes C5–T2 would not correspond to its insertion.

Splenius cervicis is the neck muscle that runs from the lower portion of the spine up to the upper cervical region, so its distal attachment sits on the transverse processes of the upper cervical vertebrae. In most anatomy references, this insertion is on C1 to C3 (sometimes listed as C4). This placement lets the muscle help extend the neck when both sides contract and rotate or laterally flex to the same side when acting unilaterally.

The other sites mentioned belong to different attachments: the mastoid process and the occipital bone are where splenius capitis inserts, not cervicis, and inserting on the spinous processes C5–T2 would not correspond to its insertion.