Which muscle inserts on the mastoid process and the superior nuchal line?

Which muscle inserts on the mastoid process and the superior nuchal line?

• A. Trapezius
• B. Serratus posterior superior
• C. Serratus posterior inferior
• D. Splenius capitis

Answer: (D)

The key idea is recognizing which neck muscle attaches to the mastoid process and the superior nuchal line. Splenius capitis does exactly that: its fibers insert on the mastoid process of the temporal bone and on the superior nuchal line of the occipital bone. This arrangement lets the muscle extend the head (both sides) and rotate it to the same side (one side). The trapezius, while it has connections to the skull region, inserts on the clavicle and scapula rather than the mastoid process or superior nuchal line. The serratus posterior superior and inferior attach to the ribs, not to skull bones. So the muscle with that specific skull insertion is splenius capitis.

The key idea is recognizing which neck muscle attaches to the mastoid process and the superior nuchal line. Splenius capitis does exactly that: its fibers insert on the mastoid process of the temporal bone and on the superior nuchal line of the occipital bone. This arrangement lets the muscle extend the head (both sides) and rotate it to the same side (one side). The trapezius, while it has connections to the skull region, inserts on the clavicle and scapula rather than the mastoid process or superior nuchal line. The serratus posterior superior and inferior attach to the ribs, not to skull bones. So the muscle with that specific skull insertion is splenius capitis.