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Innervation Characteristics and Determination of Nerve Entry Points of the Musculus Semispinalis Capitis

Innervation Characteristics and Determination of Nerve Entry Points of the Musculus Semispinalis Capitis

Status
Completed
Phases
Unknown
Study type
Observational
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT06569563
Enrollment
20
Registered
2024-08-26
Start date
2018-08-01
Completion date
2019-06-14
Last updated
2024-08-26

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Muscular Injury, Peripheral Nerve Disease

Keywords

m. semispinalis capitis, paraspinal muscle, muscle innervation mapping, cervical spine surgery, musculoskeletal anatomy, nerve entry point, intramuscular injection, cervical dystonia, botulinum toxin injections, innervation

Brief summary

The aim of this study is to determine the innervation characteristics and nerve entry points of the musculus semispinalis capitis. This muscle, which is involved in the extension of the head and neck, is a large and long cervico-thoracic muscle innervated by the dorsal rami of the cervical spinal nerves. The study seeks to enhance the effectiveness of procedures like electromyography (EMG) electrode placement and botulinum toxin injections used for diagnosing and treating conditions related to head and neck pain. Accurately identifying these nerve entry points is crucial for ensuring the safety and efficacy of treatments, particularly for conditions like cervical dystonia and headaches. While existing studies have focused on the innervation and nerve mapping of various muscles, there has been no specific research on the nerve entry points of the musculus semispinalis capitis. This study aims to provide detailed knowledge of these aspects, offering valuable guidance for interventions in this area.

Detailed description

The musculus semispinalis capitis, one of the cervical paraspinal muscles, originates from the transverse processes of the last cervical and the first six to seven thoracic vertebrae. It extends upward along both sides of the posterior midline and inserts between the superior and inferior nuchal lines on the occipital bone. This muscle is innervated by the dorsal rami of the cervical spinal nerves. As a large and long cervico-thoracic muscle, its primary function is the extension of the head and neck. The aim of this study is to determine the innervation characteristics and nerve entry points of the musculus semispinalis capitis to enhance the effectiveness of procedures such as the placement of electromyography (EMG) electrodes for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes, as well as botulinum toxin injections used for treating conditions associated with head and neck pain. The innervation characteristics and nerve entry points of the musculus semispinalis capitis need to be precisely identified, particularly in relation to treatments such as botulinum toxin injections for the management of spasms and pain in conditions like cervical dystonia, and for the treatment of headaches. Accurate identification of these points is crucial for ensuring safe and effective injections in this region and for understanding the anatomical variations in the area. While there are studies in the literature focusing on the innervation characteristics and nerve entry points of various muscles, as well as nerve mapping, there has been no specific research on nerve entry point mapping for the musculus semispinalis capitis. Conducting this study will establish a detailed understanding of the innervation characteristics and nerve entry points of this muscle, providing valuable guidance for interventions in this area. Previous studies on deep neck muscles have shown that procedures such as injections and EMG measurements have generally been performed using approximate localization methods. This study aims to use the results obtained to make these procedures more effective and less invasive.

Interventions

None listed

Sponsors

Medipol University
Lead SponsorOTHER

Study design

Observational model
OTHER
Time perspective
PROSPECTIVE

Eligibility

Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
45 Years to 75 Years
Healthy volunteers
No

Inclusion criteria

* Cadavers were preserved using a 10% formalin solution.

Exclusion criteria

* neck and back region curvature, * neck flexion and extension, * related region muscle or nerve pathology, * fracture, * cadavers that have undergone previous surgery

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frameDescription
The number of nerves innervating the semispinalis capitis muscle10 monthsThe semispinalis capitis muscle is innervated by many nerves, primarily the dorsal branches of the cervical spinal nerves. The number of branches of the dorsal branches of the cervical nerves that enter the muscle was determined and counted one by one.
The location of nerves innervating the semispinalis capitis muscle10 monthsIn order to determine which cervical nerve branch of the semispinalis capitis muscle was concentrated in which areas of the muscle, the perpendicular distances of the points where the nerves entered the muscle to the determined landmarks were measured and recorded in mm.
The thickness of nerves innervating the semispinalis capitis muscle10 monthsThe thickness of the nerves innervating the semispinalis capitis muscle was measured and recorded.
Mapping of nerves innervating the semispinalis capitis muscle10 monthsAfter detailed information about the nerves innervating the semispinalis capitis muscle and the areas where they are concentrated were determined, the innervation map of the muscle was created. In this way, a muscle-nerve map was created as a guide for clinical applications.

Countries

Turkey (Türkiye)

Outcome results

None listed

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Feb 4, 2026