The bandage muscle
Splenius capitis · musculus splenius capitis
A strap of muscle at the back of your neck that pulls your head back and turns it.
What it does
The splenius capitis runs from the lower neck and upper back spine to the base of the skull. Both sides together tilt the head back; one side turns and tilts the head to the same side.
Surprising fact
Its name comes from the Greek word for a bandage, because it wraps around the deeper neck muscles like one.
Why it matters
Hours of looking down at a phone or desk keep these muscles working to hold your head up, contributing to stiff necks and headaches at the base of the skull.
Nearby
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Sources
Drafted with AI help; awaiting a human fact-check against these sources.
Open in the 3D atlas · Suggest a correction · Not medical advice.
3D models: Z-Anatomy & BodyParts3D (CC BY-SA 4.0 / 2.1 JP). Card text CC BY 4.0.