Logan Steele
The scapula is a thin, flat, triangular bone located on the posterior-lateral aspect of the thoracic cage. It has several muscles attached to it, including the levator scapulae, the teres major, and the rhomboids major and minor. The scapula is also associated with the scapulothoracic joint, which allows for 60 degrees of upward rotation. The scapula's stability is dependent on the surrounding musculature, and its movement is closely linked to the clavicle and the thoracic spine. The scalene muscles, on the other hand, are a group of deep muscles located in the neck, consisting of the anterior, middle, and posterior scalenes. They are involved in lifting the first two ribs during inspiration and play a role in neck movement and posture. The scalene muscles also have a significant relationship with other structures in the neck, such as the brachial plexus and subclavian artery, which pass between the anterior and middle scalenes.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Definition | Scalene muscles are deep and positioned laterally to the cervical tract. |
| Location | The scalene muscles are muscles of the neck. |
| Innervation | The scalene muscles' innervation is complex, as both the brachial plexus and the cervical plexus are involved in their function. |
| Function | The scalene muscles play the role of accessory breathing muscles but are also important for the movement of the neck and the head and maintaining the posture between the neck and the head. |
| Dysfunction | Dysfunction of the scalene muscles can create several pathological patterns, such as thoracic outlet syndrome, decreased ventilatory capacity, and cervical pain. |
| Medical approaches | The scalene muscles are often the subject of medical approaches to diminish their tone and rehabilitative work to improve their physiological length or contractile strength. |
| Scapula | The scapula is a thin, flat, triangular-shaped bone placed on the postero-lateral aspect of the thoracic cage. |
| Muscles attached to the scapula | The levator scapulae, teres major, rhomboids major and minor, serratus anterior, subscapularis, infraspinatus, supraspinatus, deltoid, latissimus dorsi lower fibres, trapezius, coracobrachialis, pectoralis minor, and triceps. |
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What You'll Learn
- The scalene muscles are accessory breathing muscles
- They are also involved in neck movement and head posture
- The scalenus anterior muscle is the anteriormost of the three scalene muscles
- The scalenus posterior is the smallest and most deeply seated of the scalene muscles
- The scalene muscles are named after the Greek word 'skalēnós', meaning uneven
The scalene muscles are accessory breathing muscles
The scalene muscles are three paired muscles (anterior, middle, and posterior) located in the lateral aspect of the neck. They form part of the floor of the posterior triangle of the neck. The scalenes act as accessory muscles of respiration and perform flexion at the neck.
The scalene muscles collectively act to elevate the first and second ribs, increasing the intrathoracic volume. In patients with respiratory distress, the scalene muscles may be used as 'accessory muscles of respiration' to aid with breathing. By increasing intrathoracic volume, the patient can ventilate their lungs more effectively. However, they are not required in the respiration of a healthy individual, and so the use of accessory muscles is an important clinical sign of respiratory distress.
The scalenus anterior muscle is the anteriormost of the three scalene muscles. It originates from the anterior tubercles of the transverse processes of the vertebrae C3-C6. The muscle takes an inferior, almost vertical, course towards the thoracic cage. It gives off a single flat tendon, that inserts into the scalene tubercle and superior border of the first rib, just anterior to the groove for the subclavian artery. The scalenus anterior muscle sometimes gives off a few muscular slips that insert into the suprapleural membrane. These slips are known as the scalenus minimus (pleuralis) muscle, or the Albinus muscle or Sibson muscle.
The scalenus medius is the most significant for breathing in this group. It runs from the transverse processes of the axis and the transverse process of C3 to C7 until the first rib, also raising it. The middle scalene, or scalenus medius, is the largest and longest of the three scalene muscles. It arises from the posterior tubercles of the transverse processes of the lower six cervical vertebrae. It descends along the side of the vertebral column to insert by a broad attachment into the upper surface of the first rib, posterior to the subclavian groove.
The scalenus posterior, or posterior scalene, is the smallest and most deeply seated of the scalene muscles. It arises by two or three separate tendons from the posterior tubercles of the transverse processes of C4-C6 and is inserted by a thin tendon into the outer surface of the second rib, behind the attachment of the anterior scalene. It is occasionally blended with the middle scalene. The posterior scalene is the smallest and deepest of the scalene muscles. Unlike the anterior and middle scalene muscles, it inserts into the second rib.
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They are also involved in neck movement and head posture
The scalene muscles are a group of three paired muscles: the anterior, middle, and posterior muscles. They are located in the lateral aspect of the neck, connecting the neck bones to the first and second ribs.
The scalene muscles play a crucial role in neck movement and head posture. They help to move the head and neck, allowing for a wide range of motions, such as looking at something to the side or turning to face a different direction. These muscles also assist in maintaining the position of the cervical spine, ensuring that the head remains in an upright position.
The scalenus anterior muscle, the anteriormost of the three scalene muscles, originates from the anterior tubercles of the transverse processes of the cervical vertebrae. It takes an inferior, almost vertical course towards the thoracic cage and is involved in neck flexion.
The scalenus medius, or middle scalene, is the largest and longest of the three scalene muscles. It arises from the posterior tubercles of the transverse processes of the lower six cervical vertebrae and descends along the side of the vertebral column.
The scalenus posterior, or posterior scalene, is the smallest and most deeply seated of the scalene muscles. It arises from the posterior tubercles of the transverse processes of the fourth, fifth, and sixth cervical vertebrae. This muscle lifts the second rib and tilts the neck to the same side, contributing to the lateral flexion of the neck.
The proper functioning of the scalene muscles is essential for maintaining correct neck and head posture. Dysfunction or tightness in these muscles can lead to various issues, including thoracic outlet syndrome, decreased ventilatory capacity, and neck pain. Chiropractors often employ hands-on manipulation techniques and trigger point therapy to reduce tension and alleviate pain associated with the scalene muscles.
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The scalenus anterior muscle is the anteriormost of the three scalene muscles
The scalenus anterior muscle is the foremost of the three scalene muscles. It originates from the anterior tubercles of the transverse processes of the cervical vertebrae C3-C6. The muscle takes an inferior, almost vertical, course towards the thoracic cage. It gives off a single flat tendon, which inserts into the scalene tubercle and superior border of the first rib, just anterior to the groove for the subclavian artery. The scalenus anterior muscle is located deeply at the side of the neck, behind the sternocleidomastoid muscle.
The scalene muscles are a group of three muscles on each side of the neck, identified as the anterior, middle, and posterior. They are innervated by the third to the eighth cervical spinal nerves (C3-C8). The scalene muscles act as accessory muscles of respiration and perform flexion at the neck. They also lift the first and second ribs, increasing the intrathoracic volume. This is particularly useful in patients with respiratory distress, as it aids with breathing. However, in a healthy individual, these muscles are not required for respiration.
The scalenus anterior muscle forms the anterior border of the interscalene triangle. The brachial plexus and subclavian artery pass between the anterior and middle scalene muscles, and this space is referred to as the scalene hiatus or scalene fissure. The subclavian vein and phrenic nerve pass anteriorly to the scalenus anterior muscle as it crosses over the first rib. The phrenic nerve is oriented vertically, while the subclavian vein is oriented horizontally as it passes in front of the muscle.
The scalenus anterior muscle receives its nerve supply from the anterior rami of the spinal nerves C4-C6. The blood supply to all scalene muscles comes from the ascending cervical branch of the inferior thyroid artery, which is an indirect branch of the subclavian artery. The scalenus anterior muscle sometimes gives off a few muscular slips that insert into the suprapleural membrane, and this is known as the scalenus minimus muscle, which is present in 7-46% of people.
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The scalenus posterior is the smallest and most deeply seated of the scalene muscles
The scalenus posterior originates from the posterior tubercles of the transverse processes of the fourth, fifth, and sixth cervical vertebrae. It arises by two or three separate tendons and is inserted by a thin tendon into the outer surface of the second rib, behind the attachment of the anterior scalene. The fibres of the scalenus posterior occasionally blend with the fibres of the scalenus medius (middle scalene). The scalenus posterior is supplied by cervical nerves C5, C6, and C7, and it is innervated by the anterior rami of spinal nerves C6-C8.
The main function of the scalenus posterior is to lift the second rib and tilt the neck to the same side. It also acts as an accessory muscle of respiration, along with the sternocleidomastoids. The scalene muscles are important for the movement of the neck and the head and maintaining the posture between the two. They also play a role in breathing, elevating the ribs during forced inspiration.
The scalene muscles have a significant relationship with other structures in the neck. The brachial plexus and subclavian artery pass between the anterior and middle scalenes, while the subclavian vein and phrenic nerve pass anteriorly to the anterior scalene as the muscle crosses over the first rib. This passing of the brachial plexus and subclavian artery through the space of the anterior and middle scalene muscles is known as the scalene hiatus or scalene fissure.
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The scalene muscles are named after the Greek word 'skalēnós', meaning uneven
The scalene muscles are a group of three muscles on each side of the neck, identified as the anterior, the middle, and the posterior. They are named after the Greek word "skalēnós", meaning "uneven". The scalene muscles are important for the neck and the ribs. The anterior and middle scalene muscles lift the first rib and bend the neck to the side, while the posterior scalene lifts the second rib and tilts the neck to the same side.
The scalenus anterior muscle is the foremost of the three scalene muscles. It originates from the anterior tubercles of the transverse processes of the cervical vertebrae C3-C6. It takes an inferior, almost vertical, course towards the thoracic cage. The scalenus anterior muscle gives off a single flat tendon that inserts into the scalene tubercle and the superior border of the first rib. This muscle is related to many structures in the neck, including the suprapleural membrane, pleura, roots of the brachial plexus, and the subclavian artery.
The scalenus medius, or middle scalene, is the largest and longest of the three scalene muscles. It arises from the posterior tubercles of the transverse processes of the lower six cervical vertebrae. The middle scalene descends along the side of the vertebral column and inserts into the upper surface of the first rib, posterior to the subclavian groove. The brachial plexus and the subclavian artery pass anterior to it.
The scalenus posterior, or posterior scalene, is the smallest and most deeply seated of the scalene muscles. It arises from the posterior tubercles of the transverse processes of the cervical vertebrae C4-C6. It is inserted by a thin tendon into the outer surface of the second rib, behind the attachment of the anterior scalene. The posterior scalene is supplied by cervical nerves C5, C6, and C7. It occasionally blends with the middle scalene.
The scalene muscles have a significant relationship with other structures in the neck. The brachial plexus and subclavian artery pass between the anterior and middle scalenes, while the subclavian vein and phrenic nerve pass anteriorly to the anterior scalene as the muscle crosses over the first rib. The scalene muscles also act as accessory muscles of respiration, helping to elevate the ribs during forced inspiration.
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Frequently asked questions
The scalene muscles are deep muscles that are positioned laterally to the cervical tract. They are accessory breathing muscles but are also important for the movement of the neck and the head and maintaining the posture between the neck and the head.
There are three types of scalene muscles: the anterior scalene, the middle scalene, and the posterior scalene.
The scalene muscles are involved in lifting the first two ribs during inspiration. They are also involved in the movement of the neck and the head and maintaining the posture between the neck and the head.
The scalene muscles are not directly attached to the scapula. However, they are involved in the movement of the neck and the head, which can indirectly affect the position and movement of the scapula.
Dysfunction of the scalene muscles can create several pathological patterns, such as thoracic outlet syndrome, decreased ventilatory capacity, and cervical pain.
