2I have found that cervical traction is effective in eliminating splenius capitis pain and neck cracking.
There are many more than two muscles in the neck that perform the action of rotation. Among the primary contributors are the sternocleidomastoid (SCM)-the visible muscle that runs from beneath your ear to the top of your sternum-and splenius cervicis at the base of the rear portion of the skull. Other muscles like your upper traps and levator scapulae also play a role, though not as significant.
When turning your head from side to side, the primary muscles involved are the sternocleidomastoid muscles, which are located on either side of the neck. These muscles contract to rotate the head and flex the neck. Additionally, the splenius capitis and splenius cervicis muscles assist in the movement by providing support and stabilization. Other muscles, such as the trapezius and the levator scapulae, also contribute to neck rotation and stability.
supraspinatus, infraspinatus, subscapularis, teres minor
* aryepiglotticus * auricularis * buccinator * constrictor of pharynx - inferior * constrictor of pharynx - middle * constrictor of pharynx - superior * corrugator supercilii * cricothyroid * depressor anguli oris * depressor labii inferioris * digastric * digastric (anterior view) * frontalis * genioglossus * geniohyoid * hyoglossus * inferior oblique * inferior rectus * intrinsic muscles of tongue * lateral cricoarytenoid * lateral pterygoid * lateral rectus * levator anguli oris * levator labii superioris * levator labii superioris * alaeque nasi * levator palpebrae superioris * levator veli palatini * longus capitis * longus colli * masseter * medial pterygoid * medial rectus * mentalis * m. uvulae * mylohyoid * nasalis * oblique arytenoid * obliquus capitis inferior * obliquus capitis superior * omohyoid * orbicularis oculi * orbicularis oris * palatoglossus * palatopharyngeus * platysma * posterior cricoarytenoid * procerus * rectus capitus anterior * rectus capitus lateralis * rectus capitus posterior major * rectus capitus posterior minor * risorius * salpingopharyngeus * scalenus anterior * scalenus medius * scalenus minimus * scalenus posterior * splenius capitis * splenius cervicis * stapedius * sternocleidomastoid * sternohyoid * sternothyroid * styloglossus * stylohyoid * stylohyoid (anterior view) * stylopharyngeus * superior oblique * superior rectus * temporalis * temporoparietalis * tensor tympani * tensor veli palatini * thyro - arytenoid & vocalis * thyro - epiglotticus * thyrohyoid * transverse arytenoid * zygomaticus major * zygomaticus minor * diaphragm * intercostals external * intercostals innermost * intercostals internal * levatores costarum * pectoralis major * pectoralis minor * serratus anterior * serratus posterior inferior * serratus posterior superior * subcostalis * transversus thoracis * external oblique abdominis * internal oblique abdominis * psoas major * psoas minor * pyramidalis * quadratus lumborum * rectus abdominis * transversus abdominis * abductor digiti minimi (hand) * abductor pollicis brevis * abductor pollicis longus * adductor pollicis * anconeus * articularis cubiti * biceps brachii * brachialis * brachioradialis * coracobrachialis * deltoid * extensor carpi radialis brevis * extensor carpi radialis longus * extensor carpi ulnaris * extensor digiti minimi (hand) * extensor digitorum (hand) * extensor indicis * extensor pollicis brevis * extensor pollicis longus * flexor carpi radialis * flexor carpi ulnaris * flexor digiti minimi brevis (hand) * flexor digitorum profundus * flexor digitorum superficialis * flexor pollicis brevis * flexor pollicis longus * infraspinatus * interossei - dorsal of hand * interossei - palmar of hand * latissimus dorsi * lumbricals of hand * opponens digiti minimi (hand) * opponens pollicis * palmaris brevis * palmaris longus * pectoralis major * pectoralis minor * pronator quadratus * pronator teres * serratus anterior * subscapularis * supinator * supraspinatus * teres major * teres minor * triceps * bulbospongiosus * cremaster * dartos * deep transverse perinei * gemellus inferior * gemellus superior * gluteus maximus * gluteus medius * gluteus minimus * ischiocavernosus * levator ani-coccygeus * levator ani - iliococcygeus * levator ani - pubococcygeus * levator ani - puborectalis * levator ani - pubovaginalis * obturator internus (A) * obturator internus (B) * piriformis (A) * piriformis (B) * sphincter ani * sphincter urethrae * superficial transverse perinei * abductor digiti minimi (foot) * abductor hallucis * adductor brevis * adductor hallucis * adductor longus * adductor magnus * articularis genu * biceps femoris * extensor digitorum brevis (foot) * extensor digitorum longus (foot) * extensor hallucis brevis * extensor hallucis longus * flexor digiti minimi brevis (foot) * flexor digitorum brevis * flexor digitorum longus (foot) * flexor hallucis brevis * flexor hallucis longus * gastrocnemius * gemellus inferior * gemellus superior * gluteus maximus * gluteus medius * gluteus minimus * gracilis * iliacus * interossei - dorsal of foot * interossei - plantar of foot * lumbricals of foot (4) * obturator externus * obturator internus (A) * obturator internus (B) * pectineus * peroneus brevis * peroneus longus * peroneus tertius * piriformis (A) * piriformis (B) * plantaris * popliteus * quadratus femoris * quadratus plantae * rectus femoris * sartorius * semimembranosus * semitendinosus * soleus * tensor fasciae lata * tibialis anterior * tibialis posterior * vastus intermedius * vastus lateralis * vastus medialis * deltoid * erector spinae - spinalis * erector spinae - iliocostalis * erector spinae - longissimus * infraspinatus * interspinales * intertransversarii * latissimus dorsi * levator scapulae * levatores costarum * obliquus capitis inferior * obliquus capitis superior * rectus capitus posterior major * rectus capitus posterior minor * rhomboid major * rhomboid minor * serratus posterior inferior * serratus posterior superior * splenius capitis * splenius cervicis * supraspinatus * teres major * teres minor * transversospinalis - multifidus * transversospinalis - rotatores * transversospinalis - semispinalis * trapezius
levator sling
Levatores
The levator ani is a muscle found in the rectal area. It provides some of the support for the pelvic organs.
The term "levator" refers to a muscle that functions to raise or elevate a body part. It is commonly used in anatomical contexts to describe muscles that lift structures, such as the levator scapulae, which elevates the shoulder blade, or the levator ani, which supports pelvic organs. The name derives from the Latin word "levare," meaning "to lift."
Levator scapulae
When the term "levator" is part of a muscle's action, it typically indicates that the muscle is involved in lifting or elevating a specific body part. For example, the levator scapulae muscle elevates the scapula (shoulder blade), while the levator anguli oris muscle elevates the angle of the mouth when smiling.
The names of muscles often indicate the action of the muscle. What does the term levator mean?
The levator ani muscles, specifically the pubococcygeus, puborectalis, and iliococcygeus muscles, make up the majority of the pelvic floor. These muscles play a crucial role in supporting the pelvic organs and maintaining continence.