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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, neck, and upper spine. They help us move our head, chew, swallow, and breathe. Neck muscles are skeletal muscles, attached to bones by tendons, and are innervated by cervical nerves and their branches. They can be divided into three main categories: anterior (front), lateral (side), and posterior (back). Anterior neck muscles help us move our mouth, lower face, and the front of our neck, while posterior muscles help bend our neck and rotate our head. Given the importance of the neck for survival, any injury to the neck muscles can have significant consequences for our functionality and, in some cases, can even be fatal.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of neck muscles | 30 |
| Muscle categories | Anterior (front), lateral (side), posterior (back) |
| Anterior muscles | Superficial, suprahyoid, infrahyoid, scalene |
| Superficial muscles | Largest muscles in the neck |
| Suprahyoid muscles | Move the hyoid bone when swallowing or speaking |
| Infrahyoid muscles | Move the hyoid bone and larynx down |
| Scalene muscles | Move the first two ribs up and down to allow breathing; help move the head and stabilize the bones in the neck |
| Lateral neck muscles | Control head movements from the base of the skull |
| Posterior neck muscles | Help bend the neck |
| Suboccipital muscles | Rotate the head and extend the neck |
| Trapezius muscle | Produce lateral flexion and contralateral rotation of the head when acting unilaterally, and extension of the head when acting bilaterally |
| Erector spinae muscles | Support posture, rotate the neck, and extend the neck backward |
| Deep cervical flexors | Flex the neck forward and stabilize the cervical spine |
| Ligaments | Anterior longitudinal ligament (ALL), posterior longitudinal ligament (PLL) |
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What You'll Learn
Neck muscles help with chewing, swallowing and breathing
The neck is a complex structure of bones, muscles, nerves, blood vessels, and other connective tissues. There are about 30 neck muscles, which support and stabilise the head, neck, and upper spine. They also allow for a wide range of movements, including rotating the head, flexing the neck, and moving the head in different directions.
Neck muscles help with chewing, swallowing, and breathing. The suprahyoid muscles, for example, move the hyoid bone (a bone at the top of the neck, just below the jawline) when swallowing and speaking. The infrahyoid muscles, meanwhile, move the hyoid bone and the larynx (voice box) up and down. These muscles are also involved in swallowing.
The scalene muscles are another group of neck muscles that assist with breathing. They move the first two ribs up and down, facilitating inhalation. Additionally, they help stabilise the bones in the neck (cervical spine). The cervical spine itself aids in swallowing and helps elevate the rib cage during inhalation.
Maintaining good posture is important for neck muscle health. Neck pain can be a sign of strained or inflamed neck muscles, which can be caused by stress, trauma, or conditions like arthritis. In rare cases, serious neck injuries may require immediate medical attention.
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They support and stabilise the head, neck and upper spine
The neck muscles play a crucial role in supporting and stabilising the head, neck and upper spine, enabling various movements and essential functions. There are about 30 neck muscles, extending from the base of the skull and jaw down to the shoulder blades and collarbone. These muscles form a complex musculoskeletal system, connecting the base of the skull to the torso.
The cervical spine, or bony part of the neck, has the primary function of supporting the skull while allowing for a wide range of movements. This flexibility is essential for scanning our surroundings and interacting with our environment. The cervical spine also aids in swallowing and elevating the rib cage during inhalation.
The neck muscles, along with tendons and ligaments, provide stability and facilitate movements in the cervical spine. The trapezius muscle, a large surface muscle, spans from the base of the skull down the cervical spine and into the mid-back, contributing to head and neck movements. The splenius muscles, including splenius capitis and splenius cervicis, are also involved in neck movements and belong to the superficial layer of the deep back muscles.
The suboccipital muscles, consisting of Rectus Capitis Posterior Major, Rectus Capitis Posterior Minor, Obliquus Capitis Superior, and Obliquus Capitis Inferior, play a role in rotating the head and extending the neck. The scalene muscles, including the anterior, middle, and posterior scalenes, help with neck flexion and respiration.
Overall, the neck muscles provide essential support and stability to the head, neck, and upper spine, enabling us to perform various movements and maintain proper neck function, which is vital for our survival.
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Neck muscles allow for movement of the head
The neck is a complex structure of bones, muscles, nerves, blood vessels, and connective tissues. Neck muscles are part of a complex musculoskeletal system that connects the base of the skull to the torso. There are about 30 neck muscles, which can be categorised into three main groups: anterior (front), lateral (side), and posterior (back). These muscles support and stabilise the head, neck, and the upper part of the spine. They also allow for a wide range of head movements, including rotating the head, turning the head, and extending the head upward or the neck backward.
The cervical spine, which is the bony part of the neck, has the primary function of supporting the skull while allowing for movement. It is the most flexible part of the spine, allowing for large movements to scan our surroundings. The cervical spine also aids in swallowing and helps elevate the rib cage during inhalation.
The trapezius muscle is a large, flat, triangular muscle that forms a diamond shape with its counterpart. It extends over the posterior aspect of the neck and the superior part of the thorax. The trapezius muscle can be involved in extending the head upward, rotating the head, and producing lateral flexion and contralateral rotation of the head when acting unilaterally.
The splenius muscles are superficial muscles of the posterior neck. The suboccipital muscles, consisting of four small muscles found deep in the suboccipital region, act to rotate the head and extend the neck. The three scalene muscles, which are anterior neck muscles, help rotate the neck and pull the head back. They also act to flex the neck and assist in breathing by moving the first two ribs up and down.
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They are part of a complex musculoskeletal system
The neck muscles are part of a complex musculoskeletal system that connects the base of the skull to the torso. This system includes soft tissues, bones, nerves, blood vessels, and ligaments. The neck muscles themselves are skeletal muscles, attached to bones by tendons, and are under our voluntary control.
The cervical spine, or neck, is the most flexible part of the spine, allowing for large movements to scan our surroundings. The cervical spine's primary function is to support the skull while allowing for movement. The neck muscles support and stabilise the head, neck, and upper part of the spine, enabling head movement in different directions. They also assist with chewing, swallowing, and breathing.
The neck muscles can be categorised into three main groups: anterior (front), lateral (side), and posterior (back). The anterior neck muscles help with moving the mouth, lower face, and front of the neck, as well as rotating and angling the neck. The suprahyoid muscles control the hyoid bone during swallowing and speaking, while the infrahyoid muscles move the hyoid bone and larynx down. The scalenes help rotate the neck and pull the head back, and they also assist with breathing by moving the first two ribs. The lateral neck muscles control head movements from the base of the skull. The posterior neck muscles help with bending the neck and rotating the head.
The trapezius is a large, flat, triangular muscle that forms a diamond shape with its counterpart. It extends over the back of the neck and into the upper thorax. It can help extend the head upward, rotate the head, and lift the shoulder blade. The splenius muscles are also superficial muscles of the posterior neck. The erector spinae muscles support posture, rotate the neck, and extend the neck backward. The deep cervical flexors, composed of the longus capitus and longus colli muscles, flex the neck forward and stabilise the cervical spine.
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Neck muscles are innervated by cervical nerves and their branches
The neck is a complex structure of bones, muscles, nerves, blood vessels, lymphatics, and other connective tissues. The neck muscles are innervated by cervical nerves and their branches, which carry motor and sensory information to and from the brain. The neck muscles support and stabilise the head, neck, and upper spine, enabling various head movements and assisting with chewing, swallowing, and breathing.
Cervical nerves C1, C2, and C3 control forward, backward, and side head and neck movements. C2 provides sensation to the upper area of the head, while C3 gives sensation to the side of the face and back of the head. C4 controls upward shoulder motion and the diaphragm, which is essential for breathing. C5 is responsible for the deltoid muscles and biceps, while C6 controls the extensor muscles of the wrist and is involved in bicep control.
The cervical plexus, a network of nerve fibres, supplies innervation to structures in the neck and trunk. It is formed by the anterior rami of cervical spinal nerves C1-C4. The cutaneous branches of the cervical plexus transmit sensory information from the skin of the neck, superior portions of the thorax, and the scalp. These nerves emerge from a common point at the posterior aspect of the sternocleidomastoid, known as Erb's point.
The trapezius muscle, a large, flat, triangular muscle in the neck, is innervated by the accessory nerve (CN XI). It produces lateral flexion and contralateral rotation of the head when acting unilaterally and extends the head when acting bilaterally. The splenius muscles, including the splenius capitis and splenius cervicis, are also involved in neck movements and belong to the superficial layer of the deep back muscles.
The ansa cervicalis is a loop of nerves formed by nerve roots C1-C3, giving rise to nerves that function in the oropharynx and swallowing and speech. The middle and anterior scalene muscles receive innervation directly from the cervical plexus. The cervical ganglia are a trio of sympathetic nervous system ganglia that influence neck functions.
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Frequently asked questions
Neck muscles are part of a complex musculoskeletal system that connects the base of the skull to the torso. There are about 30 neck muscles, which support and stabilise the head and neck.
Neck muscles help you move your head in different directions, as well as assisting with chewing, swallowing and breathing.
There are three main categories of neck muscles: anterior (front), lateral (side) and posterior (back). Anterior neck muscles help you move your mouth, lower face and the front of your neck. Lateral neck muscles control head movements from the base of the skull. Posterior neck muscles help bend and rotate the neck.
Neck muscle injuries can be caused by trauma, with whiplash being the most common cause of neck problems. Neck muscle spasms can also occur, causing stiffness and difficulty turning the head. Other issues include pinched nerves, pain, tension and headaches.
Practising good posture can help to keep neck muscles healthy. Relaxation and meditation exercises can also help to release tension in the neck and shoulders.
