Maximus Gage
The human body has more than 600 muscles, which help us do everything from moving and breathing to giving birth. Some muscles are visible, like the biceps in our upper arms or the quads in our thighs, while others, like those in our heart and organs, work silently in the background to keep us alive. One muscle that is responsible for looking up is the sternocleidomastoid muscle, which bends the neck to the side and rotates the neck.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of muscles in the human body | More than 600 |
| Types of muscles | Skeletal, smooth, and cardiac |
| Functions | Movement, breathing, speaking, swallowing, digestion, waste removal, pumping blood, giving birth, and storing/releasing energy |
| Muscle growth | Achieved through resistance training, weight training, and rest |
| Muscle definition | Influenced by diet, rest, fat storage, and cardiovascular exercise |
| Neck muscle functions | Rotation, flexion, extension, side bending, stabilization, support, chewing, swallowing, and breathing |
| Back muscle functions | Extension, side bending, rotation, elevation, and inspiration |
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What You'll Learn
Neck muscles
The neck is a complex musculoskeletal system that connects the base of the skull to the torso. There are about 30 neck muscles, which are skeletal muscles, meaning they are attached to bones by tendons. These muscles are responsible for supporting and stabilising the head, neck and the upper part of the spine. They also help with a range of movements, including rotating the head, extending the neck, and moving the head in different directions.
The suboccipital muscles, a group of posterior neck muscles, are responsible for rotating the head and extending the neck. The lateral neck muscles control head movements from the base of the skull.
It is important to keep neck muscles strong and healthy through good posture and paying attention to your body’s signals.
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Sternocleidomastoid muscle
The sternocleidomastoid (SCM) muscle is a 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 it can be felt on both the right and left sides of your neck. The SCM muscle extends from the mastoid process at the base of your skull to your collarbones (clavicles) and breastbone (sternum).
The SCM muscle is responsible for several important functions. Firstly, it helps stabilize your neck, even when you are not moving. Secondly, it assists with breathing by working with other neck muscles to lift your breastbone and collarbone during inhalation, creating space for your lungs to take in air. Thirdly, it supports chewing by aiding the temporomandibular joint (TMJ), which connects your jaw to your skull and allows you to open and close your mouth.
In terms of movement, the SCM muscle is crucial for rotating the head to the opposite side or obliquely rotating the head. It also flexes the neck. When both sides of the SCM muscle act together, it flexes the neck and extends the head. When one side acts alone, it causes the head to rotate to the opposite side and flexes laterally to the same side (ipsilaterally).
Injuries, tension, sprains, strains, atrophy, and tumours can all damage the SCM muscle. Sternocleidomastoid syndrome, for example, is a condition involving neck stiffness, pain, and other symptoms that can result from trigger points developing in the SCM muscle. Treatment options for SCM issues include massage, osteopathic manipulation, physical therapy, and, in severe cases of structural damage, surgery. Maintaining good posture and managing stress are also important for SCM health.
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Back muscles
The back muscles are a complex network that helps us perform a wide range of movements, from bending over to twisting, turning our heads, and extending our backs. They also assist in breathing by expanding and contracting the chest during inhalation and exhalation. These muscles start just under the skull, extend across the shoulders, and run down the spine to the lower back, attaching to various bones in the body.
Healthcare providers typically divide back muscles into three groups: superficial (extrinsic), intermediate, and intrinsic (deep). The superficial back muscles are the ones closest to the surface, just under the skin. These include the latissimus dorsi (commonly known as lats), levator scapulae, rhomboids, trapezius, and serratus anterior. The latissimus dorsi muscles are the largest in the upper half of the body, starting below the shoulder blades and extending to the spine in the lower back. The levator scapulae are smaller muscles that run from the side of the neck to the shoulder blades. The rhomboid muscles connect the shoulder blades to the spine, while the trapezius muscles form a 'V' shape from the neck, across the shoulders, and down to the lower back. Lastly, the serratus anterior muscles cover the top of the rib cage, just below the armpits.
The intermediate back muscles are found just above and below the rib cage. The intrinsic or deep back muscles include the erector spinae, which help extend the back and bend it backward. They work in conjunction with the gluteal muscles, especially when walking. The semispinalis dorsi and semispinalis capitis muscles also contribute to extending the back. The multifidi and rotators are small muscles of the vertebrae that aid in rotation, extension, and side bending of the back.
Maintaining the health of these back muscles is crucial to prevent and manage back pain, which can be caused by weak or strained muscles, herniated discs, or other conditions. Exercises like pilates and yoga can help strengthen back muscles and improve flexibility, while stretching and warming up before physical activity can prevent injuries.
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Skeletal muscles
The neck muscles, which support the head and enable a range of movements, are skeletal muscles. They also assist with chewing, swallowing, and breathing. The sternocleidomastoid muscle, for instance, bends the neck to the side and rotates the neck. The anterior and middle scalene muscles, located at the sides of the neck, elevate the first rib and rotate the neck ipsilaterally.
The scapula, or shoulder blade, is elevated by the trapezius muscle, which runs from the back of the neck to the middle of the back. The erector spinae muscles extend and side bend the back.
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Smooth and cardiac muscles
Smooth muscles are involuntary muscles that line the inside of some organs. They are present throughout the body and play an important role in many body systems, including the female and male reproductive systems, the urinary system, the respiratory system, and the digestive system. Smooth muscles are responsible for essential functions such as moving waste through the intestines and helping the lungs expand during breathing. They are also found in the walls of many organs, including the lungs, gastrointestinal tract, reproductive organs, blood vessels, and even the skin. Smooth muscle contraction is regulated by a calcium-calmodulin interaction, where intracellular calcium combines with the protein calmodulin to activate muscle contraction.
Cardiac muscle, also known as myocardium, makes up the middle layers of the heart and is responsible for its rhythmic contractions. The heart is the only organ in the body that is made of cardiac tissue, and it is essential for pumping blood through the cardiovascular system and maintaining proper oxygenation of all cells in the human body. Cardiac muscle cells are located in the walls of the heart, appear striped or striated, and work as a single, coordinated unit. They contain specialized cardiac pacemaker cells that allow for intrinsic depolarization without external stimuli.
Both smooth and cardiac muscles have unique cellular components, physiology, specific functions, and pathology. They work together with skeletal muscles to support various functions in the human body, including movement, breathing, digestion, waste elimination, and more.
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Frequently asked questions
The muscles in your neck support your head and help you perform a variety of movements, including looking up. There are about 30 muscles in your neck that allow you to move your head in different directions.
The neck muscles are skeletal muscles, which are attached to bones by cord-like tendons. They contain tiny, elastic fibres that allow them to contract and relax.
To keep your neck muscles healthy, maintain good posture and listen to your body's signals. It's important to seek medical advice if you experience constant pain, weakness in your arms, or headaches/neck stiffness.
Yes, you can improve the definition of your neck muscles by performing resistance training exercises that target that area. Cardiovascular exercises can also help burn calories and reduce the layers of fat between the muscles and the skin.
