Victor Forge
The sternocleidomastoid muscle, or SCM, is a two-headed neck muscle that is located at the base of the skull on either side of the neck, behind the ears. It is the most superficial and largest muscle in the front portion of the neck. The SCM has dual innervation and multiple functions, including acting as an anatomical landmark within the neck region and as part of neuromuscular pathologies such as torticollis.
Sternocleidomastoid (SCM) Muscle Characteristics
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Location | Base of skull, on either side of the neck, behind the ears |
| Composition | Two heads: sternal (medial) and clavicular (lateral) |
| Function | Lateral and anterior neck flexion, head rotation, chewing, swallowing, head stabilisation |
| Innervation | Dual |
| Superficiality | Superficially palpable |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
- The sternocleidomastoid muscle is one of over 20 pairs of muscles acting on the neck
- The SCM has dual innervation and multiple functions
- It is the most superficial and largest muscle in the front portion of the neck
- The SCM acts in concert with the entire muscular group of the cervicofacial region
- SCM pain can have a number of causes, often related to some type of muscle tension
The sternocleidomastoid muscle is one of over 20 pairs of muscles acting on the neck
The sternocleidomastoid muscle, or SCM, is one of over 20 pairs of muscles acting on the neck. It is the most superficial and largest muscle in the front portion of the neck. The SCM has two heads, the sternal (medial) head and clavicular (lateral) head, and is built of two bellies, the sternal and clavicular bellies. The muscle is named after its attachments to the manubrium of the sternum, the clavicle, and the mastoid process of the temporal bone.
The SCM is a long, thick, bilateral muscle of the neck, which functions to flex the neck both laterally and anteriorly, as well as rotate the head contralaterally to the side of contraction. It also helps in chewing and swallowing and stabilises the head when it is dropped backward. SCM pain can have a number of causes, often related to some type of muscle tension.
The SCM is a superficially palpable muscle with importance as an anatomical landmark within the neck region and as part of neuromuscular pathologies such as torticollis. Electrophysiological studies show that the SCM acts in concert with the entire muscular group of the cervicofacial region, responding and aiding in various complex physiological movements beyond its principal function as a lateral neck flexor.
Walking's Muscle-Preserving Benefits: What Science Says
You may want to see also
Explore related products
The SCM has dual innervation and multiple functions
The sternocleidomastoid muscle (SCM) has dual innervation and multiple functions. It is one of over 20 pairs of muscles acting on the neck. The SCM is a superficially palpable muscle with importance as an anatomical landmark within the neck region and as part of neuromuscular pathologies such as torticollis. It is the most superficial and largest muscle in the front portion of the neck. It is a long, thick, two-headed muscle, with attachments to the manubrium of the sternum, the clavicle, and the mastoid process of the temporal bone.
The SCM acts in concert with the entire muscular group of the cervicofacial region, responding and aiding in various complex physiological movements beyond its principal function as a lateral neck flexor. It helps in chewing and swallowing and stabilises the head when it is dropped backward. It also functions to flex the neck both laterally and anteriorly, as well as rotate the head contralaterally to the side of contraction.
Muscle Hypertrophy Mechanics: Weight Training for Growth
You may want to see also
Explore related products
It is the most superficial and largest muscle in the front portion of the neck
The sternocleidomastoid muscle (SCM) is the most superficial and largest muscle in the front portion of the neck. It is a two-headed neck muscle, with attachments to the manubrium of the sternum, the clavicle and the mastoid process of the temporal bone. It is a long, thick, bilateral muscle that runs down the front of the neck on both sides, and splits to attach to the top of the sternum and collarbone. The SCM is one of over 20 pairs of muscles acting on the neck. It is a superficially palpable muscle with importance as an anatomical landmark within the neck region and as part of neuromuscular pathologies such as torticollis. It also aids in chewing and swallowing and stabilises the head when it is dropped backwards.
Vaginal Muscles: What You Need to Know
You may want to see also
Explore related products
The SCM acts in concert with the entire muscular group of the cervicofacial region
The sternocleidomastoid muscle (SCM) is one of over 20 pairs of muscles acting on the neck. It is a long, thick, two-headed muscle, with dual innervation and multiple functions. The SCM is the most superficial and largest muscle in the front portion of the neck. It is also known as Sternomastoid or Sterno muscle. The SCM has two heads, sternal (medial) and clavicular (lateral), and both can develop trigger points.
Exploring the Muscles in Your Thighs: A Comprehensive Guide
You may want to see also
Explore related products
SCM pain can have a number of causes, often related to some type of muscle tension
The sternocleidomastoid (SCM) muscle is located at the base of the skull on either side of the neck, behind the ears. It is a long, thick muscle that runs down the front of the neck and splits to attach to the top of the sternum and collarbone. SCM pain can have a number of causes, often related to some type of muscle tension. Tightness in another part of the body can cause referred pain in the SCM.
SCM is the most superficial and largest muscle in the front portion of the neck. It is built of two heads, the sternal (medial) head and clavicular (lateral) head, and both can develop trigger points. The muscle is closely related to certain neurovascular structures that pass through the neck on their way to the head or to the periphery of the body.
SCM has dual innervation and multiple functions. It is a superficially palpable muscle with importance as an anatomical landmark within the neck region and as part of neuromuscular pathologies such as torticollis. Evidence from electrophysiological studies shows that the SCM acts in concert with the entire muscular group of the cervicofacial region, responding and aiding in various complex physiological movements beyond its principal function as a lateral neck flexor.
The functions of the SCM include helping with chewing and swallowing and stabilising the head when it is dropped backward. It also flexes the neck both laterally and anteriorly and rotates the head contralaterally to the side of contraction.
Muscle Itch: What Your Body Is Trying to Tell You
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
The sternocleidomastoid muscle (SCM) is a two-headed neck muscle.
The SCM muscle is located at the base of the skull on either side of the neck, behind the ears.
The SCM muscle helps with chewing and swallowing and stabilises the head when it is dropped backward. It also acts in concert with the entire muscular group of the cervicofacial region, responding and aiding in various complex physiological movements beyond its principal function as a lateral neck flexor.
SCM stands for sternocleidomastoid, which is derived from the Latin words: sternon = chest; cleido = clavicle and the Greek words: mastos = breast and eidos = shape, form.
The SCM muscle is long and thick.
