splenius

sple·ni·us  (spln-s)

n. pl. sple·ni·i (-n-)

Either of two muscles of the back of the neck, extending from the upper vertebrae to the base of the skull, that rotate and extend the head and neck.

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[New Latin splnius, from Latin splnium, patch, plaster (from its shape), from Greek splnion, from spln, spleen.]

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spleni·al (-n-l) adj.

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splenius [ˈspliːnɪəs]

n pl -nii [-nɪˌaɪ]

(Life Sciences & Allied Applications / Anatomy) Anatomy either of two flat muscles situated at the back of the neck that rotate, flex, and extend the head and neck

[via New Latin from Greek splēnion a plaster]

splenial  adj

Thesaurus

Noun

1.

splenius - either of two flat muscles that extend from the upper vertebrae to the base of the skull and serve to rotate or flex or extend the head and neck splenius muscle skeletal muscle, striated muscle - a muscle that is connected at either or both ends to a bone and so move parts of the skeleton; a muscle that is characterized by transverse stripes