semispinalis capitis (muscle)

sem·i·spi·na·lis ca·pi·tis (mus·cle)

[TA] origin, transverse processes of five or six upper thoracic and articular processes of four lower cervical vertebrae; insertion, occipital bone between superior and inferior nuchal lines; action, rotates head and draws it backward; nerve supply, dorsal primary rami of cervical spinal nerves. Synonym(s): musculus semispinalis capitis [TA], musculus complexus, semispinal muscle of head