Name

# Semispinalis Cervicis

Pronunciation

(sem-e-spi-NA-l us cer-VI-cis)

Origin/Proximal Attachment

Transverse processes of thoracic vertebrae T1 to T5

Insertion/Distal Attachment

Spinous processes of cervical vertebrae C2-5

Action/Relevance

Extension of the cervical spine

rotation to opposite side

Innervation

Middle cervical nerves

Notes

The Semispinalis cervicis (Semispinalis colli), thicker than the preceding, arises by a series of tendinous and fleshy fibers from the transverse processes of the upper five or six thoracic vertebrę, and is inserted into the cervical spinous processes, from the axis to the fifth inclusive. The fasciculus connected with the axis is the largest, and is chiefly muscular in structure.