The cervical spine consists of seven vertebrae, which are the smallest and uppermost in location within the spinal column. Together, the vertebrae support the skull, move the spine, and protect the spinal cord, a bundle of nerves connected to the brain.
Many ligaments, or bands of connective tissue, wrap around the spinal column and connect its vertebrae (like “sticky” rubber-bands). These ligaments also prevent excessive movement that could damage the spinal column.
Each vertebra has a protrusion on its backside called the spinous process. It extends backward and slightly downward. This is where ligaments and muscles attach to the vertebra.
Spinalis cervicis: This muscle begins in the middle region of the spine and travel up to the axis. It may begin at the lower cervical vertebrae or the upper thoracic vertebrae (the section of the spinal column just below the cervical spine). It helps extend the neck.
Spinalis dorsi: This muscle begins at the upper thoracic vertebrae and extends down to the lower back.
Spinalis capitis: This muscle begins at the upper and middle thoracic spine and lower cervical spine. It extends up to the occipital bone, near the base of the skull. This muscle is inseparably connected with another muscle in the neck, the semispinalis capitis.
The longus colli muscle begins at the spinous process of the atlas and extends past the cervical spine to the third thoracic vertebra. This muscle is broad in the middle but narrow where it connects to vertebrae. It helps move and stabilize the neck.
The longus colli is the most commonly injured muscle in rear-end car accidents when whiplash — the sudden jerking of the head at impact — occurs.