
The neck is a complex structure of bones, muscles, nerves, blood vessels, lymphatics, and other connective tissues. The muscles of the neck are divided into three main groups: anterior, lateral, and posterior. These muscles are responsible for the movement of the head in all directions. The anterior neck muscles are further divided into three subgroups: the superficial muscles, which include the platysma and sternocleidomastoid; the middle muscles, which include the scalene muscles; and the deep muscles, which include the prevertebral muscles. The posterior neck muscles are responsible for the extension of the neck.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Muscle groups | Anterior, lateral, posterior, suprahyoids |
| Muscle function | Movement of the head, pushing food and fluids down the throat, keeping airways clear |
| Muscle depth | Superficial, deep |
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What You'll Learn
- The neck has three main groups of muscles: anterior, lateral and posterior
- The anterior neck muscles are divided into three subgroups: superficial, intermediate and deep
- The suprahyoids are a group of small muscles that run from underneath the jawbone to the skull
- Neck muscles help push food and fluids down the throat
- Neck muscles are closely related to important structures such as major blood vessels, nerves and elements of the respiratory and gastrointestinal systems

The neck has three main groups of muscles: anterior, lateral and posterior
The neck is a complex structure of bones, muscles, nerves, blood vessels, lymphatics and other connective tissues. The neck's primary function is to support the skull while allowing for movement. The neck muscles are mainly responsible for the movement of the head in all directions.
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The anterior neck muscles are divided into three subgroups: superficial, intermediate and deep
The neck is a complex structure of many bones, muscles, nerves, blood vessels, lymphatics, and other connective tissues. The neck muscles are divided into three main groups based on their position in the neck: anterior, lateral, and posterior. The anterior neck muscles are the group of muscles covering the front part of the neck. They are further divided into three subgroups: superficial, suprahyoid, and infrahyoid.
The superficial muscles are the most visible muscles in the front of the neck. They include the platysma and sternocleidomastoid. The platysma is a broad, thin muscle stretching from the chest and shoulders to the lower jaw and face. It lowers the mandible and tenses the skin of the lower neck and face. The sternocleidomastoid laterally flexes the neck and contralaterally rotates the head if contracting unilaterally.
The suprahyoid muscles are located above the hyoid bone. This group comprises the digastric, mylohyoid, geniohyoid, and stylohyoid. The hyoid bone is a bone at the top of the neck, just below the jawline. The suprahyoid muscles move this bone when you swallow and speak.
The infrahyoid muscles are found below the hyoid bone and consist of the sternohyoid, omohyoid, sternothyroid, and thyrohyoid. These muscles move the larynx (voice box) up and down.
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The suprahyoids are a group of small muscles that run from underneath the jawbone to the skull
The neck is a complex structure of bones, muscles, nerves, blood vessels, lymphatics and other connective tissues. The muscles of 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.
The suprahyoids are part of the anterior neck muscles, which cover the anterior aspect of the neck. The anterior neck muscles are further divided into three subgroups: the superficial muscles, intermediate muscles and deep muscles. The superficial muscles are the most superficial in the anterior neck and include the platysma and sternocleidomastoid.
The suprahyoids are an important part of the neck's musculature, which is closely related to a number of important structures that pass between the thorax and the head. These include major blood vessels, nerves and elements of the respiratory and gastrointestinal systems. The position of the suprahyoids and other neck muscles relates to their function.
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Neck muscles help push food and fluids down the throat
The neck is a complex structure of many bones, muscles, nerves, blood vessels, lymphatics, and other connective tissues. The muscles of the neck are divided into three main groups: anterior, lateral and posterior, based on their position in the neck. The anterior neck muscles are further divided into three subgroups: the superficial muscles, which include the platysma and sternocleidomastoid; the intermediate muscles, which include the scalene muscles and prevertebral muscles; and the deep muscles, which include the longus colli and longus capitis.
The main muscle group in the neck is called the suprahyoids, which are a group of small muscles that run from underneath the jawbone up to the skull. These muscles help push food and fluids down the throat, keeping the airways clear. They also help to keep the head stable and allow for movement in all directions.
The neck muscles are closely related to a number of important structures that pass between the thorax and the head, including major blood vessels, nerves, and elements of the respiratory and gastrointestinal systems. The position of a muscle or group of muscles in the neck generally relates to its function. For example, the muscles in the posterior neck are responsible for the extension of the neck.
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Neck muscles are closely related to important structures such as major blood vessels, nerves and elements of the respiratory and gastrointestinal systems
The neck is a complex structure of bones, muscles, nerves, blood vessels, lymphatics, and other connective tissues. The muscles in the neck are closely related to a number of important structures that pass between the thorax and the head, including major blood vessels, nerves, and elements of the respiratory and gastrointestinal systems.
The muscles of the neck are divided into three main groups: anterior, lateral, and posterior, based on their position in the neck. The anterior neck muscles are further divided into three subgroups: the superficial muscles, which include the platysma and sternocleidomastoid; the intermediate muscles, which include the digastric, stylohyoid, and mylohyoid; and the deep muscles, which include the geniohyoid and thyrohyoid. The posterior neck muscles are responsible for the extension of the neck.
The main muscle group in the neck is called the suprahyoids, which include the stylohyoid, mylohyoid, and geniohyoid. These are a group of small muscles that run from underneath the jawbone up to the skull. They help push food and fluids down the throat and keep the airways clear.
The position of a muscle or group of muscles in the neck generally relates to its function. The neck's primary function is to support the skull while still allowing for movement. It is the most flexible part of the spine, which allows for large movements to scan our surroundings. Proper neck movement is vital to survival as most sensory inputs occur at the head.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, the neck has muscles.
The muscles in the neck are responsible for the movement of the head in all directions. They also help push food and fluids down your throat and keep your airways clear.
The main groups of muscles in the neck are the anterior, lateral and posterior groups, based on their position in the neck. The suprahyoids are another main muscle group.
The muscles in the neck are connected to important structures that pass between the thorax and the head, including major blood vessels, nerves and elements of the respiratory and gastrointestinal systems.











































