Innervation of longissimus capitis?

• A. Ventral rami of spinal nerves
• B. Anterior rami of cervical nerves
• C. Dorsal rami of spinal nerves
• D. Lumbar plexus

Answer: (C)

Innervation of longissimus capitis comes from the dorsal (posterior) rami of the spinal nerves. These branches supply the intrinsic back muscles, including the erector spinae group to which longissimus capitis belongs, and also carry sensory fibers to the overlying skin. The ventral rami supply the anterior trunk and limbs, not the deep back muscles, and the lumbar plexus serves nerves to the lower limb, not the neck. So the longissimus capitis is innervated by the dorsal rami of the spinal nerves.