splenius

noun

sple·​ni·​us ˈsplē-nē-əs 

plural splenii ˈsplē-nē-ˌī 

: either of two flat oblique muscles on each side of the back of the neck and upper thoracic region

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from Latin splenium plaster, compress, from Greek splēnion, from splēn

First Known Use

1732, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

splenius

noun

sple·​ni·​us -nē-əs 

plural splenii -nē-ˌī 

: either of two flat oblique muscles on each side of the back of the neck and upper thoracic region:

a

: splenius capitis

b

: splenius cervicis