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Health

Belt muscles

, medical expert
Last reviewed: 04.07.2025
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Splenitis capitis muscle - m. splenitis capitis

When contracted on one side, the muscle turns the head and tilts it to its side, and when contracted on both sides, it extends the head and neck.

Origin: spinous processes of III-I thoracic and III-VII cervical vertebrae.

Insertion: lateral part of linea nuchae superior, Proc. mastoideus.

Innervation: from the posterior rami of spinal nerves C1-C5

Diagnostics: Trigger zones in the splenius capitis muscle are determined by deep palpation. These points are usually found in the part of the muscle that lies subcutaneously within the muscle triangle formed by the trapezius muscle at the back, the sternocleidomastoid muscle at the front, and the muscle that lifts the scapula. The localization of trigger zones in the area of attachment of the muscle to the mastoid process is described.

Referred pain: a trigger point located in the splenius capitis muscle causes pain in the upper part of the crown on the ipsilateral side.

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Belius muscle of the neck - m. splenitis cervicis

With bilateral contraction, it straightens the neck. With unilateral contraction, it turns and tilts the neck to its side.

Origin: spinous processes of the V-III thoracic vertebrae

Insertion: Posterular tubercle of the transverse process of the third cervical vertebra

Innervation: spinal nerves C1-C5 - posterior branches of the cervical plexus

Diagnostics: Displacement of the lateral edge of the upper part of the trapezius muscle towards the spine, and the muscle that lifts the scapula in the anterolateral direction allows palpation of the splenius muscle of the neck directly under the skin.

The lower trigger zone is palpated just above the angle formed by the base of the neck and the shoulder blade. The examiner turns the patient's head and neck away from the affected muscle, stretching it to the extent that it can be palpated. To locate the upper trigger zone, the finger slides up along the fibers of the splenius cervicis muscle between the upper bundles of the trapezius muscle and the levator scapulae muscle. A trigger zone is described in the angle formed by the upper ends of the trapezius and sternocleidomastoid muscles, which causes pain in the areas that are characteristic pain zones for the trigger zone located at the upper end of the splenius cervicis muscle.

Referred pain: A trigger zone located at the upper end of the splenius cervicis muscle causes diffuse pain inside the head, on the ipsilateral side, which is most concentrated behind the eyeball; sometimes this pain spreads to the scalp in the occipital region of the head. A trigger zone located at the lower part of the splenius cervicis muscle (at the level of the base of the neck) causes pain at the base of the neck and higher on the ipsilateral side. Patients with damage to the trigger zone of the upper end of the splenius cervicis muscle, in addition to pain, may also complain of poor near vision with the ipsilateral eye. At the same time, they do not have conjunctivitis or any other eye diseases.

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