Origin
Semispinalis dorsi – T6 to T10 vertebrae.
Semispinalis cervicis – T1 to T6 vertebrae.
Semispinalis capitis – C4 to C7, T1-T6 vertebrae.
Insertion
Semispinalis dorsi – C6, C7, T1-T4 vertebrae.
Semispinalis cervicis – C2 to C5 vertebrae.
Semispinalis capitis – between the superior and inferior nuchal line.
Blood supply
Deep cervical artery, occipital artery.
Nerve supply
Spinal nerves.
Action
It helps to bend the head and back backwards and bend the back sideways.
Disease/Injury
Overuse of the muscle causes back pain.
Muscle Exercise
To strengthen your muscle, be on your hands and knees with the back straight and drop your head down with your eyes watching your knees and make an arch of your back with hips forward. Hold this position for 10 seconds and come back to normal position. Then drop your head down and arch the back down hold for 10 seconds and relax, you will feel stretch in the lower back.
Interesting facts
Regular stretching of back is necessary, else it may lead to stiffness or degenerative changes.
