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The neck muscles are skeletal muscles that support the head and neck and help with a range of movements, including chewing, swallowing, breathing, and rotating the head. They are attached to bones by tendons and are categorised into three main groups: anterior (front), lateral (side), and posterior (back). The deeper neck muscles provide stability, while the superficial neck muscles are responsible for movement. The neck muscles are closely related to important structures that pass between the thorax and the head, including major blood vessels, nerves, and elements of the respiratory and gastrointestinal systems.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Main Muscle Groups | Spinal Muscles, Anterior Neck Muscles, Posterior Neck Muscles, Suboccipitals, Superficial Neck Muscles |
| Function | Support and Control Head and Neck Movement, Chewing, Swallowing, Breathing |
| Number of Main Groups | 3 |
| Number of Muscle Categories | 3 (Anterior, Lateral, Posterior) |
| Number of Anterior Muscle Regions | 4 (Superficial, Suprahyoid, Infrahyoid, Scalene) |
| Number of Posterior Muscle Types | 3 (Superficial, Suboccipital, Transversospinalis) |
| Number of Lateral Muscle Types | 3 (Anterior, Middle, Posterior) |
| Number of Deep Cervical Flexors | 2 (Longus Capitus, Longus Colli) |
| Number of Suboccipital Muscles | 4 |
| Number of Transversospinalis Muscles | 4 |
| Number of Suprahyoids | 4 |
| Number of Infrahyoids | 4 |
| Number of Scalene Muscles | 3 |
| Number of Multifidi and Rotatores | Not specified |
| Number of Deep Anterior Muscles | 4 (Longus Capitis, Longus Colli, Rectus Capitis Lateralis, Rectus Capitis Anterior) |
| Number of Deep Posterior Muscles | 4 (Splenius Capitis, Splenius Cervicis, Semispinalis Capitis, Semispinalis Cervicis) |
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What You'll Learn
Neck muscles are skeletal muscles
The neck muscles are skeletal muscles, which means they are attached to the bones by tendons. They are voluntary muscles, meaning you have control over their movement. The neck muscles support your head and help with a range of movements, including chewing, swallowing, breathing, and rotating your head.
The neck muscles can be divided into three main categories: anterior (front), lateral (side), and posterior (back). The anterior neck muscles can be further classified into four regions: superficial, suprahyoid, infrahyoid, and scalene muscles. The superficial muscles are some of the largest in the neck and help with head extension and rotation. The suprahyoid muscles move the hyoid bone during swallowing and speech. The infrahyoid muscles move the larynx up and down and include the sternohyoid and omohyoid. The scalene muscles are involved in breathing and head movement and consist of three pairs of lateral neck muscles: anterior, middle, and posterior scalenes.
The lateral neck muscles control head movements from the base of the skull. The posterior neck muscles include superficial, suboccipital, and transversospinalis. The suboccipital muscles are below the occipital bone at the base of the skull and help extend the head in different directions. The transversospinalis muscles enable head movement in various directions and help stabilize the spine.
The deeper neck muscles primarily provide stability, while the superficial muscles are more involved in producing movement. All the muscles work together to support and move the neck and head, along with tendons and ligaments.
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There are three main categories of neck muscles
The neck is a complex structure of bones, muscles, nerves, blood vessels, lymphatics, and other connective tissues. There are about 30 muscles in the neck that support and stabilise the head, neck, and the upper part of the spine. These muscles also help with a range of movements, including chewing, swallowing, breathing, and moving the head in different directions.
The anterior neck muscles are arranged in four distinct regions: superficial, suprahyoid, infrahyoid, and scalene muscles. The superficial muscles are some of the largest muscles in the neck. They include the platysma, a sheet-like muscle that lies within the subcutaneous tissue of the anterior neck and is involved in facial expressions. The suprahyoid muscles move the hyoid bone (a bone at the top of the neck, just below the jawline) during swallowing and speaking. The infrahyoid muscles are four muscles that move the larynx (voice box) up and down. The scalene muscles move the first two ribs to facilitate inhalation and also help stabilise the bones in the neck (cervical spine).
The lateral neck muscles control head movements from the base of the skull. They can be divided into three layers: the superficial layer, which includes the trapezius muscle; the deep layer, which includes the cervical transversospinalis muscles; and the deepest layer, which includes the suboccipital muscles.
The posterior neck muscles include superficial, suboccipital, and transversospinalis muscles. The superficial muscles are strap-like muscles in the back of the neck that help extend and rotate the head. The suboccipital muscles are below the occipital bone at the base of the skull and help extend the head in different directions. The transversospinalis muscles help move the head forward and backward and also stabilise the spine.
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Neck muscles help with chewing, swallowing, and breathing
The human neck contains about 30 muscles that support the head and enable a wide range of movements. These muscles are skeletal muscles, meaning they are attached to bones by tendons. They are voluntary muscles, so you can control how they move and work. The neck muscles are categorised into three main groups: anterior (front), lateral (side), and posterior (back).
The anterior neck muscles are further divided into four regions: superficial, suprahyoid, infrahyoid, and scalene muscles. The suprahyoid muscles move the hyoid bone (a bone at the top of your neck, just below your jawline) when you swallow and speak. The infrahyoid muscles, located below the hyoid bone, move your larynx (voice box) up and down. The scalene muscles move your first two ribs up and down so you can inhale air when you breathe. They also help stabilise the bones in your neck (cervical spine).
The lateral neck muscles control head movements from the base of the skull. The posterior neck muscles include superficial, suboccipital, and transversospinalis muscles. The superficial muscles are strap-like muscles at the back of your neck that help you extend and rotate your head. The suboccipital muscles are just below the occipital bone at the base of your skull and help extend your head in different directions. The transversospinalis muscles help you move your head forward and backward and tilt it from side to side. They also help stabilise your spine and move the cervical, thoracic, and lumbar regions.
The neck muscles play a crucial role in chewing, swallowing, and breathing. During chewing, the masseter, temporalis, and lateral and medial pterygoid muscles help break down ingested food. The suprahyoid muscles assist with swallowing by elevating the hyoid bone. The pharyngeal stage of swallowing involves a rapid phase of muscle contraction to propel the food bolus through the upper oesophageal sphincter and into the oesophagus. This stage includes the protection of the airway by inducing a swallowing apnea, which is a cessation in breathing that helps prevent the aspiration of consumed material. The neck muscles, particularly the scalene muscles, also assist in breathing by moving the ribs up and down to inhale air.
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The sternocleidomastoid (SCM) muscle
The SCM muscle is activated when you turn your head to face left or right, tilt your head toward either shoulder, or tilt your head forward or backward. It also helps to maintain your posture and stabilize your neck. In addition, it assists with breathing by working with other neck muscles to lift your breastbone and collarbone when you inhale, creating space for your lungs to take in air. The SCM also supports the temporomandibular joint (TMJ), which allows you to open and close your mouth, and helps with chewing.
Injuries, tension, and trigger points within the SCM can lead to pain and stiffness, a condition known as sternocleidomastoid syndrome. This can cause neck stiffness, pain, and other symptoms such as eye changes (droopy eyelid, red or watery eyes, blurred vision), throat issues, and headaches. Treatment options include hot or cold therapy, stretching, physical therapy, osteopathic manipulation, and surgery in severe cases. Maintaining good posture and managing stress and anxiety can also help care for the SCM muscle.
The SCM muscle has dual innervation and multiple functions. It acts as a lateral neck flexor and divides the neck into anterior and posterior triangles. It is an important anatomical landmark within the neck region and plays a role in various complex physiological movements.
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The platysma muscle
The neck muscles are skeletal muscles, meaning they are attached to bones by tendons. They are voluntary muscles, which allow you to control how they move and work. These muscles help you perform various tasks, from chewing and swallowing to moving your head and breathing.
The platysma (or platysma muscle) is a thin, sheet-like muscle in the anterior aspect of the neck. It is a superficial muscle, meaning it is situated within the subcutaneous tissue of the neck. The platysma is a facial expression muscle that covers most of the anterior and lateral aspects of the neck. It arises from the fascia that covers the upper segments of the deltoid and pectoralis muscles. Its fibres ascend superomedially, crossing over the clavicle and proceeding obliquely superiorly, laterally, and medially over the neck.
The platysma has several insertion points, including the mandible, the skin of the lower face, the lower lip, the corners of the mouth, and the muscles surrounding the mouth. It is innervated by the cervical branch of the facial nerve (CN VII) and receives arterial blood supply from the submental branch of the facial artery and the suprascapular branch of the thyrocervical trunk.
The platysma plays a role in facial expressions, contributing to the formation of the modiolus, a fibromuscular chiasm of facial muscles found in the corners of the mouth. Contraction of the platysma can cause a slight wrinkling of the neck and a "bowstring" effect on either side of the neck. It may also contribute to producing an expression of sadness by pulling down the corners of the mouth.
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Frequently asked questions
Neck muscles are skeletal muscles that support your head and enable a range of movements, including rotating and bending your head and spine. They also assist with chewing, swallowing and breathing.
Neck muscles are located at the front, sides and back of your neck. From the back, they begin just beneath the base of your skull and extend down near the middle of your back, around your shoulder blades. From the front, they begin at your jaw and extend to your collarbone.
There are three main categories of neck muscles: anterior (front), lateral (side) and posterior (back). These can be further broken down into subcategories, including superficial, suboccipital, transversospinalis, suprahyoid, infrahyoid, and scalene muscles.
The anterior neck muscles help stabilise the neck and bend the neck forward. They include the longus capitis, longus colli, rectus capitis lateralis, and rectus capitis anterior.
The SCM is a large, powerful neck muscle that allows you to bend your neck and turn or tilt your head. It is the largest muscle in the front of your neck and is located just below your skin.
