Dominic Stone
The sternocleidomastoid (SCM) muscle is a powerful and long two-headed 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 easily visible and palpable. The SCM muscle extends from the mastoid process at the base of your skull to your collarbones (clavicles) and breastbone (sternum). It gets its name from its location and parts: 'sterno' refers to the sternum, 'cleido' to the clavicle, and 'mastoid' to the mastoid process. The SCM muscle is closely related to certain neurovascular structures that pass through the neck and is an important landmark in the neck, helping to define the location of structures such as the lymph nodes for the head and neck.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Full Form | Sternocleidomastoid |
| Synonyms | Musculus Sternocleidomastoideus, Sternomastoid, Sterno Muscle |
| Type | Two-headed neck muscle |
| Location | Front of the neck |
| Function | Allows bending, turning and tilting of the neck and head |
| Parts | Sternal Head, Clavicular Head |
| Innervation | Accessory Nerve |
| Blood Vessels | Common Carotid Artery |
| Nerves | Brachial Plexus |
| Glands | Lymph Nodes |
| Syndrome Treatment | Stress-relieving techniques, physical therapy |
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What You'll Learn
The SCM is the sternocleidomastoid muscle
The sternocleidomastoid is the most superficial and largest muscle in the front of the neck. It is easily visible and palpable, and you can feel your pulse through it. The muscle is wider and thinner at its origin and insertion and is narrow and thicker in the middle where the two heads merge. The SCM is a paired muscle, with one part (the sternal head) beginning at the breastbone and the other (the clavicular head) beginning at the collarbone. The two heads join into one muscle belly that inserts onto the mastoid process of the temporal bone at the base of the skull.
The SCM is an important landmark in the neck, dividing it into an anterior and a posterior triangle. These triangles contain important structures such as nerves, blood vessels, lymph nodes, and glands. The SCM also helps to protect the vertical neurovascular bundle of the neck, branches of the cervical plexus, deep cervical lymph nodes, and soft tissues of the neck from damage.
Injuries and tension in the SCM can lead to pain and stiffness, and changes in the SCM can be associated with trigger points, which can cause issues such as ptosis, blurred vision, sinus headaches, and referred pain patterns. Treatment for SCM syndrome includes stress-relieving techniques, physical therapy, stretching, and osteopathic manipulation.
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It is a two-headed neck muscle
The sternocleidomastoid (SCM) muscle is a two-headed neck muscle. The name comes from the Latin and Greek words for the parts of the body to which it is attached: sternon = chest/breastbone (sterno-), cleido = clavicle/collarbone (-cleido-), and mastos = breast and eidos = shape/form (-mastoid). The SCM muscle is the largest muscle in the front of the neck and is easily visible and palpable.
The SCM muscle is made up of two heads, the sternal (medial) head and the clavicular (lateral) head. The sternal head originates from the breastbone (sternum), while the clavicular head originates from the middle third of the clavicle. The two heads join into one muscle belly, which inserts on the lateral surface of the mastoid process of the temporal bone and the lateral half of the superior nuchal line of the occipital bone. The SCM muscle is a powerful muscle that allows you to bend your neck, turn your head, and tilt your head.
The SCM muscle is closely related to certain neurovascular structures that pass through the neck on their way to the head or the periphery of the body. It helps to stabilize the neck and protect these important structures, including the common carotid artery, accessory nerve, and brachial plexus. The SCM muscle also plays a role in breathing, working with other neck muscles to lift the breastbone and collarbone when inhaling.
The SCM muscle can be susceptible to injuries and tension, which can lead to pain and stiffness. Conditions such as SCM Syndrome can be caused by stress, anxiety, or poor posture, and can be treated with stress-relieving techniques, physical therapy, and osteopathic manipulation.
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SCM syndrome can be caused by stress and anxiety
The sternocleidomastoid (SCM) muscle is a powerful neck muscle that allows you to bend your neck and turn or tilt your head. SCM syndrome is a condition involving neck stiffness, pain, and other symptoms. It occurs when the SCM muscle develops tightened, sensitive areas, or trigger points. While SCM syndrome can be caused by various factors, including neck trauma, certain occupations, and weightlifting, stress and anxiety are also recognised factors that can contribute to the development of SCM syndrome.
Stress and anxiety can lead to increased muscle tension and tightness, particularly in the neck and shoulder region. This tension can then affect the SCM muscle, causing it to become tight and shortened. As a result, trigger points may develop within the SCM muscle, leading to the symptoms associated with SCM syndrome, such as neck stiffness and pain.
The impact of stress and anxiety on SCM syndrome is significant. When individuals experience stress and anxiety, they may subconsciously clench their neck and shoulder muscles, leading to increased muscle tension. Over time, this chronic muscle tension can contribute to the development of SCM syndrome. Additionally, stress and anxiety can affect breathing patterns, leading to hyperventilation or shallow breathing, which can further increase muscle tension and trigger SCM syndrome.
Furthermore, stress and anxiety can impair an individual's posture. Stress can cause individuals to adopt a forward head posture, with rounded shoulders, which can place additional strain on the SCM muscle. This altered posture can contribute to the development of SCM syndrome by affecting the alignment of the neck and shoulder muscles, including the SCM.
Managing stress and anxiety can be an essential part of treating and preventing SCM syndrome. Techniques such as meditation, relaxation, yoga, light bodywork exercises, and breathing exercises can help reduce stress levels and alleviate muscle tension. By addressing stress and anxiety, individuals can reduce the likelihood of developing SCM syndrome and improve their overall well-being.
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SCM injuries can lead to pain and stiffness
The sternocleidomastoid (SCM) muscle is a powerful neck muscle that allows you to bend your neck and turn or tilt your head. SCM injuries can lead to pain and stiffness. SCM syndrome occurs when one or both SCM muscles become irritated, strained, or dysfunctional. This can be caused by muscle overuse, poor posture, whiplash injuries, blunt trauma to the neck, or chronic trigger points within the muscle tissue.
SCM syndrome can cause debilitating pain, muscle spasms, and loss of mobility in the neck. It can also lead to referred pain in the head or shoulders, headaches, dizziness, vertigo, and ear and facial pain. The SCM muscle’s size and complexity make it susceptible to strain and injury, which can result in trigger points developing in multiple places within the muscle.
Treatments for SCM injuries and SCM syndrome include stretching, physical therapy, osteopathic manipulation, and chiropractic care. Chiropractic treatment for SCM syndrome may include manual spinal adjustments, soft tissue manipulation, therapeutic stretching, and exercises to reduce irritation and inflammation in the SCM muscles and improve overall function. Lifestyle modifications, such as stress management, ergonomic improvements, and proactive stretching, can also help prevent SCM injuries and SCM syndrome.
The SCM muscle is a unique muscle with variations in its origin and innervation patterns. It is a paired muscle, with two parts: the sternal head and the clavicular head. These heads merge in the middle of the SCM muscle, creating a thick, rounded belly. The SCM muscle borders two neck regions known as triangles: the anterior triangle and the posterior triangle. It is an important landmark in the neck that helps protect the neurovascular bundle, cervical plexus, cervical lymph nodes, and soft tissues of the neck.
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SCM is an important landmark in the neck
The sternocleidomastoid (SCM) muscle is a powerful and long two-headed neck muscle that allows you to bend your neck and turn or tilt your head. It is the largest and most superficial muscle in the front of the neck, and it is easily visible and palpable. The SCM muscle is an important landmark in the neck, which divides it into an anterior and a posterior triangle. These triangles contain important nerves, blood vessels, lymph nodes and glands.
The SCM muscle gets its name from its location and parts. It starts at the bottom of the neck, wraps around both sides, and ends at the base of the skull. "Sterno" refers to the sternum or breastbone, where one part of the SCM muscle (the sternal head) begins. "Cleido" refers to the clavicle or collarbone, where the other part of the SCM muscle (the clavicular head) begins. The SCM muscle ends at the mastoid process, a section of bone at the base of the skull behind the ears.
The SCM muscle is closely related to certain neurovascular structures that pass through the neck towards the head or the periphery of the body. It protects the vertical neurovascular bundle of the neck, branches of the cervical plexus, deep cervical lymph nodes, and soft tissues of the neck from damage. The SCM muscle also plays a central role in the formation of the triangles of the neck, which helps define the location of structures such as the lymph nodes for the head and neck.
Healthcare providers sometimes use the SCM muscle as a reference point to locate these structures for surgery. For example, when putting a central venous catheter (CVC), the medial edge of the SCM muscle serves as a lead structure. The SCM muscle is also important for maintaining posture and stabilising the neck. It works with other neck muscles to lift the breastbone and collarbone when inhaling, creating space for the lungs to take in air.
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Frequently asked questions
SCM stands for Sternocleidomastoid, a two-headed neck muscle that allows you to bend, flex, and rotate your neck.
The SCM muscle divides the neck into anterior and posterior cervical triangles, helping to define the location of structures such as the head and neck lymph nodes. It also supports the temporomandibular joint (TMJ), allowing you to open and close your mouth.
The SCM muscle is the most superficial and largest muscle in the front of your neck. It extends from the base of your skull (mastoid process) down both sides of your neck until it reaches your sternum and collarbones.
