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The brachiocephalic muscle, also known as the brachiocephalicus, is a long muscle that is present in animals that run on all four legs, except horses. It is located in the neck and runs from the top of the horse's poll to the point of the shoulder. The muscle is responsible for extending the shoulder, bringing the forelimb forward, and flexing the neck towards the side of the protracting limb. In horses, the muscle is divided into two parts: the cleidocephalicus and the cleidobrachialis. The brachiocephalic muscle is considered superficial as it lies on the neck under the sphincter colli superficialis and platysma muscles.
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What You'll Learn
The Brachiocephalic Muscle is Superficial in Horses
The Brachiocephalic muscle, also known as the Brachiocephalicus, is a long, flat muscle that is located in the underside of a horse's neck. It is superficial, and it runs from the top of the horse's poll to its shoulder. The muscle is responsible for extending the shoulder, bringing the forelimb forward, and flexing the neck towards the side of the protracting limb.
The Brachiocephalic muscle has two main origins. The first is attached at the mastoid process and nuchal crest of the skull, while the second is attached at the Omotransversarius, the wing of the atlas, and the transverse processes of C2-C4/C5. From there, the muscle passes over the Biceps Brachii and Brachialis before inserting into the superficial pectoral and attaching at the deltoid tuberosity and crest of the Humerus (shoulder joint).
The primary function of the Brachiocephalic muscle is to advance the foreleg and extend the shoulder joint when the foreleg is in motion. When contraction occurs on only one side, the head and neck move to that side. This muscle is extremely important for proper shoulder and front limb action, as well as lateral flexion. It acts as an antagonist to the Trapezius Cervicus, and in some horses, the space between these two muscles is narrowed, limiting the 'freedom of the shoulders' and front limb mobility.
The Brachiocephalic muscle can become impaired due to various factors, including poor posture, anatomical variations, and abnormalities. For example, a horse with poor posture may use its neck to balance, leading to an 'ewe neck' shape and the over-contraction of the lower neck muscles. Anatomical variations, such as a narrowed space between the Brachiocephalic and Trapezius Cervicus muscles, can also affect the horse's movement. Additionally, abnormalities in the vertebral column can cause strain and hypertrophy of the Brachiocephalic muscle.
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The Muscle's Structure and Divisions
The brachiocephalic muscle, also called the brachiocephalicus, is located in the neck and runs down to the forelimb or front limb. It is a long, flat muscle that is present in animals that run on all four legs, except horses. The muscle is superficial in horses, and parts of it are under superficial muscles in canines. In terms of structure, the brachiocephalic has two origins and two components. The first origin attaches at the mastoid process and nuchal crest of the skull, while the second attaches at the Omotransversarius, the wing of atlas, and the transverse processes of C2-C4/C5. The two components are the cleidobrachialis and the cleidomastoidius, which are sometimes referred to as two separate muscles, the cleidocervical and the cleidobrachial.
The function of the brachiocephalic muscle is to advance the forelimb and extend the shoulder joint, as well as to flex the neck towards the side of the protracting limb. It is supplied with blood by the brachiocephalic artery and innervated by the accessory nerve, which controls the sternocleidomastoid and trapezius muscles.
The brachiocephalic muscle can be impaired by a pull on the halter, especially at the poll, and by kicks or bites, which can cause tears and scars. Poor posture, anatomical variations, and abnormalities can also affect the muscle. For example, in horses with poor posture, the lower part of the neck muscles may be overworked, leading to an 'ewe neck'. Abnormalities in the vertebral column can cause strain and hypertrophy of the brachiocephalicus.
Symptoms of pain in the brachiocephalic muscle include a restricted stride length of the forelimb, reduced shoulder extension and flexion, and a reduced ability to flex the neck when working in a circle. Treatment for strain or tightness in the muscle involves using compression and friction.
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The Muscle's Function and Dysfunction
The brachiocephalic muscle, also called the brachiocephalicus, is located in the neck and runs down to the forelimb. It is superficial in horses but in other animals, part of it lies under superficial muscles. Its primary function is to advance the foreleg and extend the shoulder joint when the forelimb is in motion. It also flexes the neck towards the side of the protracting limb.
The Muscle's Function
The brachiocephalicus has two components: the cleidobrachialis and cleidomastoidius, or cleidocervical, but is collectively referred to as the brachiocephalicus. It is a long, flat muscle that extends from the intersection clavicularis between the brachium and the head and neck. It is supplied with blood by the brachiocephalic artery. Its innervation is an accessory nerve, meaning it is a cranial nerve that controls the sternocleidomastoid and trapezius muscles.
In horses, the muscle runs from the top of the poll to the point of the shoulder. It is extremely important for proper shoulder and front limb action, as well as lateral flexion. The brachiocephalic acts as an antagonist to the trapezius cervicus.
The Muscle's Dysfunction
Dysfunction in the brachiocephalicus muscle can be caused by injury or strain to the area, which can occur through direct trauma, rider asymmetry, chronic lameness, or compensative movement patterns and tack. For example, an ill-fitting saddle that restricts shoulder movement can hinder the shoulder's extension, causing the brachiocephalicus to be underworked and weak, and thus more susceptible to injury.
Symptoms of pain in the brachiocephalicus include a restricted stride length of the forelimb when bringing the limb forward and backward, reduced shoulder extension and flexion, and a reduced ability to flex the neck when working in a circle.
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The Muscle's Role in the Body
The role of muscles in the body varies depending on their location and type. One such muscle is the brachiocephalic muscle, also known as the brachiocephalicus, which is found in animals with four legs, except horses. This muscle is located on the underside of the neck in horses and runs from the top of the poll to the point of the shoulder. In other four-legged animals, the location and function of the brachiocephalic muscle are similar. However, in horses, the cleidocephalicus does not branch into two parts.
The primary function of the brachiocephalic muscle is to advance the foreleg and extend the shoulder joint when the forelimb is in motion. It also plays a role in lateral flexion and acts as an antagonist to the trapezius cervicus. The brachiocephalic muscle is supplied with blood by the brachiocephalic artery and innervated by the accessory nerve, a cranial nerve that controls the sternocleidomastoid and trapezius muscles.
The brachiocephalic muscle is quite long and can be divided into two parts: the cleidocephalicus and the cleidobrachialis. The first part originates at the mastoid process and nuchal crest of the skull, while the second part originates at the omotransversarius, the wing of the atlas, and the transverse processes of the cervical vertebrae. The brachiocephalic muscle then passes over the biceps brachii and brachialis before inserting onto the deltoid tuberosity and crest of the humerus.
The health of the brachiocephalic muscle is important for proper shoulder and front limb movement. Impairment of this muscle can occur due to pull back on the halter, especially at the poll, or from kicks and bites, which can cause scars and tears. Poor posture, anatomical variations, and abnormalities can also affect the brachiocephalic muscle. For example, in horses with poor posture, the lower part of the neck muscles may be overworked, leading to an 'ewe neck' shape. Additionally, in some horses, the space between the brachiocephalic and trapezius cervicus muscles may be narrowed, limiting the freedom of the shoulders and front limb mobility.
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Causes of Impairment
The brachiocephalic muscle, also known as the brachiocephalicus, is a long, superficial muscle found in the underside of a horse's neck. It is composed of two parts: the cleidocephalicus and the cleidobrachialis. The muscle is responsible for advancing the foreleg and extending the shoulder joint during motion.
The brachiocephalic muscle can become impaired due to various factors, including:
- Poor posture: Horses with poor posture may develop an 'ewe neck' as they use the lower part of their neck muscles to balance. Poor posture can arise from anatomical abnormalities, improper training, trauma, or neurological deficits.
- Anatomical variations and abnormalities: The Trapezius Cervicus acts as an antagonist to the brachiocephalic muscle. Some horses have a narrowed space between these muscles, limiting the 'freedom of the shoulders' and front limb mobility. Abnormalities in the vertebral column can also cause strain and hypertrophy of the brachiocephalicus.
- Pull back on the halter: A pull back on the halter, especially at the poll, can impair the muscle.
- Kicks, bites, and scars: The brachiocephalic muscle is susceptible to injuries caused by kicks or bites, leading to scars, tears, and sensitivity in the affected area.
- Strain and tightness: Similar to other muscles, the brachiocephalic muscle can become strained or tight due to injury, overuse, or lack of oxygen. This can further affect other muscle groups as the horse compensates for the impaired movement.
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Frequently asked questions
The brachiocephalic muscle, also known as the brachiocephalicus muscle, is located in the underside of the horse's neck. It is a long muscle that is incompletely divisible into two parts: the cleidocephalicus and the cleidobrachialis.
The primary function of the brachiocephalic muscle is to advance the foreleg and extend the shoulder joint when the forelimb is in motion. It also flexes the neck towards the side of the protracting limb.
The location, function, and design of the brachiocephalic muscle are similar in all four-legged animals except horses. Carnivores, ruminants, and pigs have brachiocephalic muscles that are Y-shaped. Horses have a brachiocephalic muscle that does not branch into two parts. Birds and primates do not have this muscle, and humans do not have it at all.
