splenius

American  

[splee-nee-uhs] / ˈspli ni əs /

noun

Anatomy.

plural

splenii

1. a broad muscle on each side of the back of the neck and the upper part of the thoracic region, the action of which draws the head backward and assists in turning it to one side.

---

splenius British  

/ ˈspliːnɪəs /

noun

1. anatomy either of two flat muscles situated at the back of the neck that rotate, flex, and extend the head and neck

---

Other Word Forms

• splenial adjective
• subsplenial adjective

Etymology

Origin of splenius

1725–35; < New Latin, for Latin splēnium < Greek splēníon plaster, patch

Example Sentences

The splenius muscles originate at the midline and run laterally and superiorly to their insertions.

From Textbooks • Jun. 19, 2013

From the sides and the back of the neck, the splenius capitis inserts onto the head region, and the splenius cervicis extends onto the cervical region.

From Textbooks • Jun. 19, 2013

The splenius group includes the splenius capitis and the splenius cervicis.

From Textbooks • Jun. 19, 2013

These separate superior attachments, and the division of the muscle which results, have caused the splenius to be regarded as formed of two portions: splenius of the head, and splenius of the neck.

From Artistic Anatomy of Animals by Cuyer, ?douard

The trapezius, the splenius, the scaleni, and the levator scapulæ muscle may also undergo shortening, along with their investing sheaths derived from the cervical fascia.

From Manual of Surgery Volume Second: Extremities—Head—Neck. Sixth Edition. by Miles, Alexander