Massage Therapy Journal Spring 2025

50 • Massage Therapy Journal

AMTA Continuing Education

Splenius Capitus The splenius capitis is a muscle located in the posterior and lateral aspect of the neck. It is part of the deep layer of the intrinsic back muscles and plays a role in movements of the head and neck. The origin of this muscle is on the inferior half of the ligamentum nuchae and the spinous processes of C7 to T4. It inserts on the lateral aspect of the superior nuchal line of the occiput and the mastoid process of the temporal bone. Its actions are to extend, laterally flex and rotate the head and neck to the same side. 24 Splenius Cervicis The splenius cervicis is a muscle located in the posterior and lateral regions of the neck. Like the splenius capitus, it is also a part of the deep layer of the intrinsic back muscles and plays a role in movements of the neck. This muscle begins on the spinous processes of T3 to T6 and ends on the transverse processes of C1 to C3. When this muscle contracts, extension, lateral flexion, and rotation of the head and neck to the same side is produced. 24 Trapezius The trapezius is a large, diamond-shaped muscle that covers a large portion of the back, neck and shoulders. It is one of the major muscles of the upper back and plays an important role in a variety of movements of the scapulothoracic joint and neck. The upper trapezius is the most superior aspect of the muscle. Its origin is on the external occipital protuberance, superior nuchal line and the nuchal ligament. The insertion of this muscle is on the lateral third of the clavicle. Contracting this muscle bilaterally will produce extension of the head and neck. If only one side contracts, this muscle will elevate and upwardly rotate the scapulothoracic joint, laterally flex the head and neck to the same side, and rotate the head and neck to the opposite side. The middle trapezius originates on spinous processes of the first through fourth thoracic vertebrae and inserts on the acromion and spine

of scapula. Contracting this muscle will produce adduction of the scapulothoracic joint. The lower trapezius originates on the spinous processes of the fourth through 12th thoracic vertebrae, then inserts onto the spine of scapula. The action of this muscle is to depress and upwardly rotate the scapulothoracic joint. 25 Levator Scapula The levator scapula is named after its action, which is to elevate the scapula, and is located in the posterior neck and shoulder region. This muscle plays a significant role in various movements of the scapula and the neck. The origin of the levator scapula is the transverse process of the first four cervical vertebra and the insertion is on the medial border of the scapula just inferior to the superior angle. When the muscle contracts bilaterally, extension of the neck is produced. With contraction of just one side of the levator scapulae, the movements of elevation and downward rotation of the scapulothoracic joint are created. Again, with just one of the levator scapulae contracting, the movements of lateral flexion and rotation of the neck are also made. 26 Rhomboids The rhomboid muscles are a pair of rhombus shaped muscles located in the upper back, between the scapulae. 1. Rhomboid major originates on the spinous processes of T2 to T5 and inserts to the medial (vertebral) border of the scapula, between the spine and the inferior angle. 2. Rhomboid minor originates on the spinous processes of the C7 to T1 thoracic vertebrae and inserts into the medial (vertebral) border of the scapula, at the root of the spine of scapula. Both rhomboids have the same actions of adduction, elevation and downward rotation of the scapulothoracic joint. 27 Pectoralis Minor The pectoralis minor is a thin, triangular shaped muscle of the anterior thorax. This muscle is deep to the pectoralis major muscle.

amtamassage.org/mtj