Name
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.