Spinalis Cervicis

Introduction of the Spinalis Cervicis

The Spinalis group of the muscle is part of the erector spinae (ES) group (the intermediate layer of the intrinsic back muscles). Spinalis Cervicis muscle is the cervical portion of the spinalis muscle with spinalis capitis muscle superiorly and spinalis thoracis muscle inferiorly.
The Spinalis Cervicis muscle is variably present.

Origin:

The Spinalis Cervicis muscle originates from the spinous processes of the axis and sometimes the 3rd and 4th cervical spinous processes.

Insertion:

The Spinalis Cervicis muscle is inserted on the lower part of ligamentum nuchae (C4 to C6) and the spinous process of C7 to T2.

Nerve Supply:

The Nerve Supply of the Spinalis Cervicis muscle is the Posterior rami of cervical and thoracic spinal nerves (C4 to T1).

Blood Supply:

The blood supply of the Spinalis Cervicis muscle is the Dorsal branches of the posterior intercostal arteries from the thoracic aorta.

Action:

Bilaterally extend the cervical spine.
Unilaterally laterally flex and rotate the cervical spine to the ipsilateral side.

The Common conditions that affect the neck muscles include:

• Spinalis Cervicis Spasms: Spasms are also known as muscle cramps, muscle spasms occur when a muscle contract and can’t relax. Most spasms are short, lasting only for a few seconds. But you might have a sore or stiff neck afterward.
• Spinalis Cervicis Strains: A muscle strain is an injury to the muscle or the tendon. It occurs due to overstretching or tearing of the muscle fibers.
• Whiplash injury: If your head suddenly moves forward and then whips backward, you can injure the soft tissue in your neck. Whiplash usually involves the muscles, ligaments, and tendons.

Exercise for the Spinalis Cervicis muscle

Chin tuck exercise
Sit straight and look straight ahead with the ears directly over the shoulders.
Place a finger on the chin.
Without moving the finger, pull the chin and head straight backward until a good stretch is felt at the base of the head and top of the neck.
Hold for 5 seconds if possible.

Neck extension exercise over the couch
Lying face down with your head hanging over a couch, keep your chin tucked, and hyper-extend your neck by taking it above the horizontal. You can feel the muscles at the back of your lower neck contracting. This serves as a useful strengthening exercise for your neck muscles.

Prone Cobra exercise
This workout is done lying face down on the ground and uses gravity as resistance in the reinforcing process.
Lying face down, put the forehead on a rolled-up hand towel for comfort.
Place the arms at the side, palms down on the ground.
Place your tongue on the roof of your mouth
Pinch the shoulder blades together and lift the hands off the ground.
Roll the elbows in, palms out, and thumbs upward.
Gently lift the forehead about an inch off the towel keeping the eyes looking straight at the ground
Hold the position for 10 seconds.
Perform 10 repetitions.