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The posterior neck muscles are a group of muscles located on the back of the neck that support the head and enable a range of movements, including chewing, swallowing, and breathing. They can be divided into three groups: superficial, deep, and deepest. The superficial group includes the trapezius and splenius muscles, which help with head extension and rotation. The deep group includes the transversospinalis muscles, which help move the head forward, backward, and side-to-side, as well as stabilize the spine. The deepest group includes the suboccipital muscles, which are responsible for head extension, lateral flexion, and rotation, as well as maintaining posture.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Location | Posterior aspect of the neck |
| Connects | Skull to vertebral column and pectoral girdle |
| Groups | Superficial, deep and deepest |
| Superficial layer | Trapezius, splenius capitis, splenius cervicis |
| Trapezius function | Lateral flexion, contralateral rotation of the head, extension of the head |
| Splenius muscles function | Lateral flexion, ipsilateral rotation of the head and neck, extension of the head and neck |
| Deep layer | Transversospinales muscles of the cervical region: semispinalis capitis, semispinalis cervicis, multifidus cervicis |
| Deepest layer | Suboccipital muscles (rectus capitis posterior major, rectus capitis posterior minor, obliquus capitis superior, obliquus capitis inferior), interspinales cervicis, intertransversarii colli |
| Suboccipital muscles function | Movement of the head (extension, lateral flexion, rotation), maintaining posture |
| Interspinales cervicis and intertransversarii colli muscles function | Proprioceptive, stabilisation, assist other muscles in extension and lateral flexion of the neck |
| Muscle function | Support the head, enable a range of movements, assist with chewing, swallowing and breathing |
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What You'll Learn
- Posterior neck muscles are located on the back of the neck and connect the skull to the vertebral column
- They can be subdivided into three groups: superficial, deep and deepest
- The superficial group includes the trapezius and splenius muscles
- The deep group includes the transversospinales muscles
- The deepest group includes the suboccipital muscles
Posterior neck muscles are located on the back of the neck and connect the skull to the vertebral column
The posterior neck muscles are located on the back of the neck and connect the skull to the vertebral column. They are responsible for the movement of the head in all directions, including extension, lateral flexion, and rotation. These muscles also assist with chewing, swallowing, and breathing.
The posterior neck muscles can be divided into three groups: superficial, deep, and deepest. The superficial layer is composed of strap-like muscles that help extend and rotate the head. They include the trapezius and the two splenius muscles: splenius capitis and splenius cervicis. The trapezius muscle produces lateral flexion and contralateral rotation of the head when contracting unilaterally, and extension of the head when contracting bilaterally. It also stabilizes and moves the scapula in different directions, depending on which fibres contract. The splenius muscles cause lateral flexion and ipsilateral rotation of the head and neck when contracting unilaterally, or extension of the head and neck when contracting bilaterally.
The deep layer of posterior neck muscles is composed of the transversospinales muscles of the cervical region: semispinalis capitis, semispinalis cervicis, and multifidus cervicis. These muscles help stabilize the spine and move the cervical, thoracic, and lumbar regions of the spine.
The deepest layer consists of the suboccipital muscles, which are located just below the occipital bone at the base of the skull. These muscles include the rectus capitis posterior major, rectus capitis posterior minor, obliquus capitis superior, and obliquus capitis inferior. The suboccipital muscles serve as postural support for the head and neck and enable neck extension and rotation movements. They are vulnerable to strain and spasms in trauma, such as whiplash in car accidents or other rapid deceleration injuries.
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They can be subdivided into three groups: superficial, deep and deepest
The posterior neck muscles are located on the posterior aspect of the neck and connect the skull to the vertebral column and pectoral girdle. They play a crucial role in supporting the head and enabling various movements, including chewing, swallowing, and breathing. These muscles can be further categorized into three groups based on their depth: superficial, deep, and deepest.
The superficial group comprises the trapezius and the two splenius muscles, namely the splenius capitis and splenius cervicis. The trapezius muscle is responsible for lateral flexion and contralateral rotation of the head when contracting unilaterally, and extension of the head when contracting bilaterally. It also plays a role in stabilizing and moving the scapula, depending on the contracting fibers. On the other hand, the splenius muscles facilitate lateral flexion, ipsilateral rotation of the head and neck when contracting unilaterally, and extension when contracting bilaterally.
The deep group consists of the transversospinales muscles of the cervical region, including the semispinalis capitis, semispinalis cervicis, and multifidus cervicis. These muscles assist in head and neck movements and provide stability to the spine.
The deepest group of posterior neck muscles includes the suboccipital muscles, which are located just below the occipital bone at the base of the skull. These muscles, namely the rectus capitis posterior major, rectus capitis posterior minor, obliquus capitis superior, and obliquus capitis inferior, enable movements of the head, such as extension, lateral flexion, and rotation. Additionally, they contribute to maintaining posture and stabilizing the head and neck. The deepest group also includes the interspinales cervicis and intertransversarii colli muscles, which primarily serve as proprioceptive and stabilizer muscles, assisting in neck extension and lateral flexion, respectively.
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The superficial group includes the trapezius and splenius muscles
The posterior neck muscles are located at the back of the neck and connect the skull to the vertebral column and pectoral girdle. They can be divided into three groups: superficial, deep, and deepest. The superficial group includes the trapezius and splenius muscles. These muscles are strap-like and help with the extension and rotation of the head.
The trapezius muscle is a large, triangular, paired muscle located on the posterior aspect of the neck and thorax. When viewed together, the pair forms a diamond or trapezoid shape. The trapezius has many attachment points, extending from the skull and vertebral column to the shoulder girdle. It is the most superficial of all the back muscles. The upper fibres of the trapezius can elevate and upwardly rotate the scapula and extend the neck. The middle fibres adduct (medially retract) the scapula, while the lower fibres depress and aid the upper fibres in upwardly rotating the scapula. The trapezius is also involved in the movement of the head and neck.
The splenius muscles include the splenius capitis and splenius cervicis. These muscles cause lateral flexion and ipsilateral rotation of the head and neck when contracting unilaterally, or extension of the head and neck when contracting bilaterally.
The superficial muscles of the neck are some of the largest muscles in the neck. They help with a range of movements, including chewing, swallowing, and breathing.
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The deep group includes the transversospinales muscles
Posterior neck muscles are located on the posterior aspect of the neck and connect the skull to the vertebral column and pectoral girdle. They can be subdivided into three groups: superficial, deep, and deepest. The deep group includes the transversospinales muscles, which help move the head forward and backward, as well as tilt it from side to side. They also help stabilize the spine and move the cervical, thoracic, and lumbar regions of the spine.
The transversospinales muscle group consists of three major subgroups: semispinalis, multifidus, and rotatores. The semispinalis is the most superficial of the transversospinales muscle group. Its attachment sites are the thoracic vertebrae (semispinalis thoracis), cervical vertebrae (semispinalis cervicis), and occipital bone at the base of the skull (semispinalis capitis). The semispinalis muscle has a unique function due to its attachment to the skull. Bilateral contraction of this muscle draws the head posteriorly, extending the neck and thoracic spine. Unilateral contraction, on the other hand, causes ipsilateral flexion of the neck and thoracic spine with contralateral rotation of the head.
The multifidus lies deep to the semispinalis and spans the whole length of the vertebral column, providing stability to the vertebral column. It is most developed in the lumbar region. The rotatores muscle lies deep to the multifidus and also spans the whole length of the vertebral column, with the most development in the thoracic region. It consists of two parts: the long (longus) and short (brevis) rotatores.
The transversospinalis muscles share the same nerve supply from the dorsal rami of the spinal nerves. They also share the same action, with bilateral contraction extending the spine and unilateral contraction rotating the spine. The deep intrinsic muscles of the back support the vertebral column and are known collectively as the transversospinales. They are the deepest layer of tiny local stabilizer muscles that primarily control the segmental motions of the spine.
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The deepest group includes the suboccipital muscles
Posterior neck muscles are located on the posterior aspect of the neck and connect the skull to the vertebral column and pectoral girdle. They can be divided into three groups: superficial, deep, and deepest.
The rectus capitis posterior major is the larger of the rectus capitis muscles and originates from the spinous process of the C2 vertebrae (axis), inserting into the lateral part of the inferior nuchal line of the occipital bone. The rectus capitis posterior minor has a similar origin but inserts at the lateral part of the inferior nuchal line on the occipital bone. It is attached to its origin by a narrowed tendon that broadens as it ascends.
The obliquus capitis inferior is the most inferiorly positioned of the suboccipital muscles and the only one within the group that does not attach to the cranium. It originates from the spinous process of the C2 vertebra and attaches to the transverse process of C1. The obliquus capitis superior is located laterally in the suboccipital compartment and is smaller than the obliquus capitis inferior. It originates from the transverse process of C1 and attaches to the occipital bone between the superior and inferior nuchal lines.
Three of the four suboccipital muscles contribute to the formation of the boundaries of the suboccipital triangle: the rectus capitis posterior major, obliquus capitis superior, and obliquus capitis inferior. This triangle is a significant anatomical landmark as it contains the vertebral artery and the suboccipital nerve. The suboccipital triangle is also important in surgery to identify the vertebral artery and avoid life-threatening bleeding.
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Frequently asked questions
Posterior neck muscles are a group of muscles located at the back of the neck that help with head movements. They can be divided into three groups: superficial, deep, and deepest.
The superficial posterior neck muscles are strap-like muscles that help with extending and rotating the head. They include the trapezius and the two splenius muscles (capitis and cervicis).
The deep posterior neck muscles are the transversospinalis muscles of the cervical region, which include the semispinalis capitis, semispinalis cervicis, and multifidus cervicis. They help with moving the head forward and backward, as well as tilting it from side to side.
The deepest posterior neck muscles are the suboccipital muscles, which include the rectus capitis posterior major, rectus capitis posterior minor, obliquus capitis superior, and obliquus capitis inferior. These muscles help with head movements and maintaining posture.
