Dominic Stone
The neck is a complex structure of bones, muscles, nerves, blood vessels, and connective tissues. There are about 30 muscles in the neck, which support the head and enable a range of movements. These muscles are divided into three main groups: anterior (front), lateral (side), and posterior (back). They are also categorised based on depth, location, and function. The neck muscles are attached to bones by tendons and are voluntary, meaning we control their movement. They assist with chewing, swallowing, and breathing.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of neck muscles | 20-30 |
| Muscle groups | 3 (anterior, lateral, posterior) |
| Muscle function | Support and stabilise the head, neck and upper spine; enable head movement; assist with chewing, swallowing, breathing, speaking and facial expressions |
| Muscle structure | Surround the cervical vertebrae |
| Muscle type | Skeletal (attached to bones by tendons); voluntary |
| Muscle injuries | Strains, fractures, herniated discs, arthritis, muscle inflammation, trauma |
| Muscle pain relief | Relaxation, meditation, massage |
| Muscle pain prevention | Good posture, regular breaks to move, stretch and relax |
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What You'll Learn
- There are about 30 neck muscles that support and stabilise the head and neck
- Neck muscles are skeletal muscles attached to bones by tendons
- The neck muscles help with chewing, swallowing, breathing, and speaking
- The sternocleidomastoid (SCM) muscle is the largest neck muscle in the front of the neck
- Neck muscle injuries like strains are usually not serious but can be painful
There are about 30 neck muscles that support and stabilise the head and neck
The neck is a complex structure of bones, muscles, nerves, blood vessels, lymphatics, and other connective tissues. There are about 30 neck muscles that support and stabilise the head and neck, extending from the base of the skull and jaw down to the shoulder blades and collarbone. These muscles are part of a complex musculoskeletal system that connects the base of the skull to the torso.
The neck muscles are divided into three main groups: anterior, lateral, and posterior, based on their position in the neck. The muscles in the posterior neck are responsible for the extension of the neck, while the anterior and lateral muscles are responsible for flexion and rotation of the head. The neck muscles also work with the cervical spine to support the skull and allow for movement. The cervical spine is the bony part of the neck and is the most flexible part of the spine, allowing for large movements to scan our surroundings.
The neck muscles are skeletal muscles, meaning they are attached to bones by tendons. They are voluntary muscles, so we are in control of how they move and work. The muscles are made up of lots of tiny, elastic fibres that allow the muscles to contract. Sheaths of tough connective tissue hold these fibres together.
The neck muscles help us perform a variety of movements, including moving our head in different directions, chewing, swallowing, and breathing. They also assist in making facial expressions. It is important to keep neck muscles strong and healthy to be able to perform these functions effectively.
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Neck muscles are skeletal muscles attached to bones by tendons
The neck is a complex structure of bones, muscles, nerves, blood vessels, lymphatics, and other connective tissues. The muscles in the neck are skeletal muscles, which means they are attached to bones by tendons. These muscles are voluntary, meaning that an individual has control over how they move and work. The neck muscles support the head and help with a variety of movements, including chewing, swallowing, and breathing. They also assist in moving the head in all directions, including forward, backward, and from side to side.
There are three main categories of neck muscles: anterior (front), lateral (side), and posterior (back). The anterior group includes superficial, suprahyoid, infrahyoid, and scalene muscles. The scalene muscles, which include the anterior, middle, and posterior scalenes, act to flex the neck and can also be used as accessory muscles of respiration. The suprahyoid muscles, such as the mylohyoid and geniohyoid, are responsible for elevating the hyoid bone during swallowing. The infrahyoid muscles, including the sternothyroid, function to depress the hyoid bone and larynx, opening the laryngeal inlet and facilitating breathing after swallowing.
The lateral and posterior neck muscles also have important functions. The lateral group includes the sternocleidomastoid muscle, which is involved in lateral flexion and rotation of the head and neck. It also assists in expanding the thoracic cavity during forced inspiration. The posterior group includes the suboccipital and transversospinalis muscles, which help extend and stabilize the head and spine.
The neck muscles are closely related to important structures, including major blood vessels, nerves, and elements of the respiratory and gastrointestinal systems. Proper neck function is vital, and any interruption can lead to critical consequences. Therefore, it is important to seek medical attention for serious neck injuries.
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The neck muscles help with chewing, swallowing, breathing, and speaking
The human neck contains about 30 muscles that support and stabilise the head, neck, and the upper part of the spine. These muscles extend from the base of the skull and jaw down to the shoulder blades and collarbone. Neck muscles are skeletal muscles, meaning they are attached to bones by tendons. They are also voluntary muscles, meaning we are in control of how they move and work.
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The sternocleidomastoid (SCM) muscle is the largest neck muscle in the front of the neck
The neck is made up of several muscles, which are responsible for the movement of the head in all directions. One of these muscles is the sternocleidomastoid (SCM) muscle, which is the largest neck muscle in the front of the neck. It is a powerful muscle that allows you to bend your neck and turn or tilt your head. The SCM muscle is innervated by the accessory nerve (CN XI) and anterior rami of spinal nerves C2 and C3. It is also involved in maintaining posture and stabilising the neck.
The SCM muscle originates from two locations: the manubrium of the sternum and the clavicle. It travels obliquely across the side of the neck and inserts at the mastoid process of the temporal bone of the skull. The SCM muscle is thick and narrow in the centre, broadening and thinning at both ends. The left and right sides of the SCM muscle come together as they travel down the neck towards the chest, but they never meet. The SCM muscle consists of parallel rows of muscular fibres, with about 60% being white anaerobic fibres and the remaining 40% being red aerobic fibres.
The SCM muscle plays an important role in neck posture and body posture. It has a close connection with the vestibular area and the motoneurons of the SCM, which is evident through vestibular stimulation electrically activating the sternocleidomastoid. The SCM muscle is also involved in allowing the correct temporomandibular joint (TMJ) function.
The SCM muscle is a prominent landmark of the neck, as it divides the neck into anterior and posterior cervical triangles. This division helps define the location of structures such as the lymph nodes in the head and neck region. The SCM muscle is closely associated with several important structures, including the common carotid artery, accessory nerve, and brachial plexus. Examination of the SCM muscle is crucial when evaluating the cranial nerves.
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Neck muscle injuries like strains are usually not serious but can be painful
The neck is a complex structure of bones, muscles, nerves, blood vessels, and connective tissues. There are about 30 neck muscles, which support and stabilise the head and neck, and enable a range of movements. Neck muscle injuries, such as strains, are usually not serious, but they can be very painful.
A neck strain occurs when one or more fibres in a neck muscle or tendon are stretched too far and tear. The pain from a neck strain can range from mild and achy to sharp and debilitating. The severity of the pain depends on the size and location of the tear. Neck strains can cause inflammation, leading to swelling and a longer recovery period. The strained muscle's strength during the healing process depends on how many muscle fibres were torn.
Neck strains can occur when the neck is bent or rotated in an abnormal way, such as during a sudden impact or collision. Athletes are particularly susceptible to neck strains at the beginning of a training season, as they are more likely to put their muscles through new and strenuous activities. Even for motions that neck muscles can typically handle, doing too many repetitions can eventually strain the muscles.
While neck strains are usually not serious, in rare cases, severe neck injuries can require immediate medical attention. Symptoms indicating a more serious neck injury include persistent and consistent pain, severe pain that is not relieved by over-the-counter medication, and pain that radiates down the arms and legs. Numbness, tingling, or weakness in the arms and legs also requires urgent medical care, as these could be signs of nerve damage or a spinal injury.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, there are about 20-30 muscles in the neck. They are skeletal muscles, meaning they are attached to bones by tendons.
Some neck muscles include the sternocleidomastoid (SCM), sternothyroid, thyrohyoid, scalenes, and the digastric muscle.
Neck muscles support the head and neck, allowing for a range of movements. They also assist with chewing, swallowing, speaking, and breathing.
