Dominic Stone
The neck is a complex structure of bones, muscles, nerves, blood vessels, and connective tissues that support the head and allow for a wide range of movements. The neck muscles are responsible for the movement of the head in all directions and are divided into three main groups based on their position in the neck: anterior, lateral, and posterior. These muscles work in harmony with tendons and ligaments to facilitate neck functions such as head rotation, swallowing, and protecting vital neurovascular structures. Given the neck's role in sustaining life, any injury or interruption to its proper function can have significant consequences and even become fatal.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of neck muscles | 20 |
| Neck muscle groups | 3 or 4 |
| Types of anterior neck muscles | Superficial, suprahyoid, infrahyoid |
| Superficial anterior neck muscles | Platysma, sternocleidomastoid |
| Suprahyoid muscles | Digastric, mylohyoid, geniohyoid, stylohyoid |
| Infrahyoid muscles | Sternohyoid, omohyoid, sternothyroid, thyrohyoid |
| Lateral neck muscles | 5 |
| Posterior neck muscles | Suboccipitals, rectus capitis posterior major, rectus capitis posterior minor, obliquus capitis superior, obliquus capitis inferior, scalenes |
| Suboccipital muscles | 4 pairs |
| Scalenes | 3 |
| Neck muscle functions | Support the cervical spine, enable head movement, protect neurovascular structures, enable swallowing, elevate rib cage during inhalation |
| Neck muscle issues | Numbness, tingling, stiffness, pain, spasms, whiplash, pinched nerve, atrophy |
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What You'll Learn
- The neck has 20 muscles that help stabilise the head and move it in multiple directions
- Neck muscles are innervated by cervical nerves and their branches, and cranial nerves
- The neck's suboccipital muscles rotate the head and extend the neck
- The neck's anterior muscles help move the mouth, lower face, and the front of the neck
- Neck muscle injuries can occur from trauma, with whiplash being the most common cause of neck problems
The neck has 20 muscles that help stabilise the head and move it in multiple directions
The neck is a complex structure of bones, muscles, nerves, blood vessels, lymphatics, and other connective tissues. The neck muscles are innervated by various cervical nerves and their branches and cranial nerves. These nerves carry impulses from the spinal cord that cause muscles to contract, controlling cervical movements. The neck has about 30 muscles that help stabilise and support the head, allowing it to move in multiple directions. These muscles are divided into three main groups based on their position in the neck: anterior, lateral, and posterior groups.
The anterior neck muscles are further divided into three subgroups: superficial muscles, suprahyoid muscles, and infrahyoid muscles. The platysma is an example of a superficial muscle in the anterior neck. It lies within the subcutaneous tissue of the anterior neck and is involved in facial expressions, such as pulling the corners of the mouth inferiorly to produce an expression of sadness. The suprahyoid muscles are found superior to the hyoid bone and include the digastric, mylohyoid, geniohyoid, and stylohyoid. The infrahyoid muscles, on the other hand, are located inferior to the hyoid bone and consist of the sternohyoid, omohyoid, sternothyroid, and thyrohyoid.
The lateral neck muscles control head movements from the base of the skull, enabling you to twist your head from side to side and tilt your cervical spine. The scalene muscles, for instance, help with breathing by moving the first two ribs up and down during inhalation. They also contribute to stabilising the cervical spine and moving the head.
The posterior neck muscles include superficial, suboccipital, and transversospinalis muscles. The superficial muscles are strap-like muscles at the back of the neck that assist in extending and rotating the head. The suboccipital muscles, located just below the occipital bone, help extend the head in different directions. The transversospinalis muscles facilitate forward and backward head movements, as well as side-to-side tilting. They also play a role in stabilising the spine and moving the cervical, thoracic, and lumbar regions.
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Neck muscles are innervated by cervical nerves and their branches, and cranial nerves
The neck is a complex structure of bones, muscles, nerves, blood vessels, lymphatics, and other connective tissues. The neck muscles are innervated by cervical nerves and their branches, and cranial nerves. The neck muscles are responsible for the movement of the head in all directions. They consist of three main groups of muscles: anterior, lateral, and posterior groups, based on their position in the neck.
The cervical spine, which is the bony part of the neck, has the primary function of supporting the skull while allowing for movement. It is the most flexible part of the spine, allowing for large movements to scan our surroundings. The cervical spine also aids in swallowing and helps elevate the rib cage during inhalation. The muscles of the neck protect other neurovascular structures necessary for sustaining life.
The cervical plexus is a network of nerve fibres that supply innervation to some of the structures in the neck and trunk. It is located in the posterior triangle of the neck, within the prevertebral layer of cervical fascia. The cervical plexus is formed by the anterior rami of cervical spinal nerves C1-C4. The muscular branches of the cervical plexus supply some of the muscles of the neck, back, and diaphragm. The phrenic nerve, an important branch of the cervical plexus, arises from the anterior rami of C3-C5 and provides motor innervation to the diaphragm.
The neck muscles receive innervation from various sources. Sensation to the anterior areas of the neck originates from cervical nerves C2-C4, while the posterior regions of the neck receive innervation from cervical roots C4-C5. The sternocleidomastoid and trapezius muscles receive innervation from cranial nerve XI (spinal accessory nerve). The platysma, a sheet-like muscle in the anterior neck, is innervated by the cervical branch of the facial nerve (CN VII). Any interruption in proper neck function can lead to a critical state, and neck function is usually the first thing evaluated in any emergency.
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The neck's suboccipital muscles rotate the head and extend the neck
The neck is a complex structure of bones, muscles, nerves, blood vessels, lymphatics, and other connective tissues. The neck muscles are responsible for the movement of the head in all directions, including forward, backward, and side-to-side movements. They also assist with chewing, swallowing, and breathing.
The suboccipital muscles are a group of four muscles located just below the occipital bone at the base of the skull. These muscles are the rectus capitis posterior major, rectus capitis posterior minor, obliquus capitis superior, and obliquus capitis inferior.
The suboccipital muscles serve as postural support for the head and neck and enable neck extension and rotation movements. They allow us to rotate our heads to the left or right and tip our heads to the side, touching our ears to our shoulders. This rotation and side-bending of the head are made possible by the cervical spine, which provides stability and maintains the head in a position that allows our eyes to be parallel to the ground.
The suboccipital muscles are vulnerable to strain due to their function in supporting and enabling head and neck movements. A strained suboccipital muscle can lead to cervicogenic headaches, which are caused by the tension produced in the dura mater by the suboccipital muscles. Treatment for cervicogenic headaches includes physical therapy, spinal manipulation, soft tissue intervention, and therapeutic exercise.
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The neck's anterior muscles help move the mouth, lower face, and the front of the neck
The neck is a complex structure of bones, muscles, nerves, blood vessels, lymphatics, and other connective tissues. The neck muscles are categorised into three main groups based on their position in the neck: anterior (front), lateral (side), and posterior (back).
The anterior neck muscles are further divided into three subgroups: superficial, suprahyoid, and infrahyoid muscles. These muscles are responsible for controlling the positions of the larynx (voice box) and the hyoid bone, a horseshoe-shaped bone that acts as a foundation for the tongue. The suprahyoid muscles, which include the digastric, mylohyoid, geniohyoid, and stylohyoid, are found superior to the hyoid bone, while the infrahyoid muscles, which include the sternohyoid, omohyoid, sternothyroid, and thyrohyoid, are located inferior to the hyoid bone.
The necks' anterior muscles, such as the platysma, play a crucial role in moving the mouth, lower face, and the front of the neck. The platysma is a sheet-like muscle that originates from the skin and fascia overlying the clavicle region and extends superiorly along the neck. It inserts into several points, including the mandible, the skin of the lower face, the lower lip, and the corners of the mouth. Due to its direct attachment to the skin of the lower face, the platysma is primarily responsible for facial expressions. For instance, it contributes to expressing sadness by pulling the corners of the mouth downwards.
Additionally, the suprahyoid and infrahyoid muscles assist in swallowing and speech. The suprahyoid muscles, located above the hyoid bone in the chin region, help raise the hyoid bone, the floor of the mouth, and the larynx during swallowing. The infrahyoid muscles, situated below the hyoid bone in the lower neck, generally depress the hyoid bone and control the position of the larynx.
The neck muscles, including the anterior group, work together to support and stabilise the head, neck, and upper back. They enable a wide range of movements, such as moving the head in different directions, and assist with essential functions like chewing, swallowing, breathing, and producing facial expressions.
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Neck muscle injuries can occur from trauma, with whiplash being the most common cause of neck problems
The neck is a complex structure of bones, muscles, nerves, blood vessels, lymphatics, and other connective tissues. The muscles in the neck are responsible for the movement of the head in all directions. They are divided into three main groups—anterior, lateral, and posterior—based on their position in the neck.
Whiplash most commonly occurs in motor vehicle crashes, particularly in rear-end collisions, but it can also happen in contact sports. It can affect anyone, but older adults and females are more likely to suffer serious or long-lasting injuries. The injury is often not well understood, and its severity can range from minor to severe. While most people recover within a few weeks to a few months, some may experience chronic effects, such as pain, for months or even years.
The symptoms of whiplash include pain that radiates to nearby areas like the head, face, shoulder, and back. It can also cause muscle spasms, making it difficult to move or turn the head and neck. Physical signs of injury, such as bruising, swelling, and sensitivity around the affected area, may also be present. In more severe cases, whiplash can involve neurological symptoms, including muscle weakness, numbness, and a burning or tingling sensation in the neck, upper back, shoulders, or upper arms.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, the neck has muscles.
The neck muscles are divided into three or four main groups: anterior, lateral, and posterior.
The neck muscles support the cervical spine and enable movement of the head, neck, upper back, and shoulders. They also protect important neurovascular structures and facilitate blood flow through the cervical spine.
Common issues with the neck muscles include pain, stiffness, spasms, and injuries such as whiplash. These issues can be caused by factors such as trauma, poor posture, or muscle strain.
To maintain healthy neck muscles, it is important to practice good posture, take regular breaks to move and stretch, and reduce stress through relaxation or meditation techniques.
