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The neck is made up of a complex system of muscles that allow us to move our heads in a variety of ways. There are about 30 muscles in the neck that enable us to perform a range of movements, including turning our heads from side to side. The sternocleidomastoid (SCM) muscle is a powerful neck muscle that allows us to bend, turn and tilt our heads. The splenius muscles can extend, laterally flex and rotate the head. The transversospinalis muscles help us to move our heads forward and backward, as well as tilt them from side to side. The scalene muscles help us to twist our heads from side to side.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of muscles in the neck | About 30 |
| SCM muscle | Allows you to bend your neck and turn or tilt your head |
| SCM muscle | Extends from the mastoid process at the base of the skull to the collarbones and breastbone |
| SCM muscle | Susceptible to strain and injury |
| SCM muscle | Can cause pain associated with TMD |
| SCM muscle | Can cause torticollis (wryneck) |
| Transversospinalis muscles | Help you move your head forward and backward, as well as tilt it from side to side |
| Transversospinalis muscles | Stabilize your spine and move the cervical, thoracic and lumbar regions of your spine |
| Infrahyoid muscles | Four muscles below the hyoid bone that move your larynx up and down |
| Scalene muscles | Move your first two ribs up and down so you can inhale air when you breathe |
| Scalene muscles | Help move your head and stabilize the bones in your neck (cervical spine) |
| Lateral neck muscles | Control head movements from the base of the skull |
| Lateral neck muscles | Help you twist your head from side to side and twist and tilt your cervical spine |
| Splenius muscles | Originate at the midline and run laterally and superiorly to their insertions |
| Splenius muscles | Can extend the head, laterally flex it, and rotate it |
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What You'll Learn
- The sternocleidomastoid (SCM) muscle allows you to bend, turn and tilt your head
- The splenius muscles can extend, laterally flex and rotate the head
- The transversospinalis muscles help you move your head forward and backward, as well as tilt it from side to side
- The infrahyoid muscles move your larynx (voice box) up and down
- The scalene muscles move your first two ribs up and down so you can breathe, and they also help move your head
The sternocleidomastoid (SCM) muscle allows you to bend, turn and tilt your head
Your sternocleidomastoid (SCM) muscle is a powerful neck muscle that allows you to bend, turn and tilt your head. The SCM muscle ends at the mastoid process, which is at the base of your skull. It is located at the back of the head, extending from the collarbone and breastbone. The SCM muscle has a cylindrical, strap-like shape that emerges from the side of your neck and tapers at the ends.
The SCM muscle is responsible for several important functions. It helps you turn your head to the left or right, and tilt your head towards either shoulder. Additionally, it allows you to tilt your head backward, lifting your chin, and forward, bringing your chin to your chest. The SCM muscle also plays a role in maintaining your posture and stabilising your neck, even when you are not moving.
The SCM muscle works in conjunction with other neck muscles to facilitate breathing. When you inhale, it helps lift your breastbone and collarbone, creating space for your lungs to take in air. The SCM muscle also supports the temporomandibular joint (TMJ), which connects your jaw to your skull, enabling functions such as chewing.
Injuries and tension in the SCM muscle can lead to pain, stiffness, and conditions such as torticollis (wryneck), where the head naturally turns or tilts to one side. Treatment options for SCM-related issues include stretching, physical therapy, and osteopathic manipulation. Maintaining good posture and managing stress are important aspects of SCM muscle care.
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The splenius muscles can extend, laterally flex and rotate the head
The neck is made up of about 30 muscles that allow you to perform a variety of movements. The splenius muscles are one group of muscles that can extend, laterally flex and rotate the head. They originate at the midline and run laterally and superiorly to their insertions. From the sides and the back of the neck, the splenius capitis inserts onto the head region, and the splenius cervicis extends onto the cervical region.
The splenius capitis helps to support the head in a steady position. It acts bilaterally to extend the head or cervical spine. It also acts unilaterally to laterally flex the head or neck or rotate the head to the same side. The splenius cervicis works in a similar way, acting bilaterally to extend the cervical spine and unilaterally to laterally flex or rotate the cervical spine to the ipsilateral (same) side.
The splenius muscles work together to allow for the extension, lateral flexion and rotation of the head. They wrap around the sides and back of the neck.
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The transversospinalis muscles help you move your head forward and backward, as well as tilt it from side to side
Your neck muscles are what allow you to turn your head. There are about 30 muscles in your neck that enable you to perform a variety of movements. The splenius muscles, for example, can extend the head, laterally flex it, and rotate it. The sternocleidomastoid (SCM) muscle is a powerful neck muscle that allows you to bend your neck and turn or tilt your head.
Your suprahyoid muscles move your hyoid bone (a bone at the top of your neck, just below your jawline) when you swallow and speak. Your infrahyoid muscles are four muscles below your hyoid bone that move your larynx (voice box) up and down. Your scalene muscles move your first two ribs up and down so you can inhale air when you breathe. They also help move your head and stabilise the bones in your neck (cervical spine). Your lateral neck muscles control head movements from the base of your skull. They also help you twist your head from side to side and twist and tilt your cervical spine.
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The infrahyoid muscles move your larynx (voice box) up and down
The infrahyoid muscles are four muscles that are located below the hyoid bone, which sits at the top of the neck, just below the jawline. These muscles are responsible for moving the larynx (voice box) up and down.
The infrahyoid muscles are just one of the many muscles in the neck that allow for a variety of head movements. For example, the splenius muscles can extend, laterally flex, and rotate the head. The sternocleidomastoid (SCM) muscle is another powerful neck muscle that allows you to bend your neck and turn or tilt your head. The SCM muscle extends from the base of the skull to the collarbones and breastbone.
The transversospinalis muscles help you move your head forward and backward, as well as tilt it from side to side. They also play a role in stabilising the spine and moving the cervical, thoracic, and lumbar regions.
The scalene muscles are also involved in head movement, as they help move the first two ribs up and down during inhalation, and they assist in stabilising the bones in the neck.
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The scalene muscles move your first two ribs up and down so you can breathe, and they also help move your head
The neck is made up of about 30 muscles that allow you to perform a variety of movements. The splenius muscles, for example, can extend, laterally flex, and rotate the head. The sternocleidomastoid (SCM) muscle is a powerful neck muscle that allows you to bend your neck and turn or tilt your head.
The scalene muscles are involved in lifting the first two ribs in a forced inspiratory act as secondary respiratory muscles. They move the first two ribs up and down so you can breathe, and they also help move your head. They are considered accessory breathing muscles because they lift the first rib during an inhale. The scalene muscles also help stabilise the bones in your neck (cervical spine). When the head is in the anatomical position (upright and facing anteriorly), unilateral contraction of the scalene muscles causes ipsilateral flexion of the neck (to the same side).
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Frequently asked questions
The neck muscles that turn the head include the splenius muscles, the sternocleidomastoid (SCM) muscle, the transversospinalis muscles, the scalene muscles, and the lateral neck muscles.
The SCM muscle is a powerful neck muscle that allows you to bend your neck and turn or tilt your head. It extends from the mastoid process at the base of your skull to your collarbones and breastbone. SCM syndrome is a condition involving neck stiffness, pain, and other symptoms.
The scalene muscles move your first two ribs up and down so you can inhale air when you breathe. They also help move your head and stabilize the bones in your neck.
