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The neck is a complex structure of bones, muscles, nerves, blood vessels, and connective tissues. There are about 30 muscles in the neck that allow for a wide range of movements. These muscles are divided into three main groups: anterior, lateral, and posterior. The neck muscles are innervated by cervical nerves and their branches, with efferent nerves carrying impulses from the spinal cord to control cervical movements. The cervical spine, composed of seven vertebrae, provides support and flexibility to the neck, allowing for large movements and proper neck function. Proper neck movement is vital for survival as it enables sensory inputs and facilitates blood flow to the brain.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of muscles in the neck | 30 |
| Muscle type | Skeletal |
| Muscle function | Support the head, enable a range of movements, assist with chewing, swallowing and breathing |
| Muscle groups | Anterior, lateral and posterior |
| Anterior muscles | Superficial, suprahyoid, infrahyoid and scalene |
| Lateral muscles | Control head movements from the base of the skull, enable head twisting and tilting |
| Posterior muscles | Superficial, suboccipital and transversospinalis |
| Superficial muscles | Strap-like muscles in the back of the neck that help extend and rotate the head |
| Transversospinalis muscles | Help move the head forward and backward, tilt it from side to side, stabilize the spine and move the cervical, thoracic and lumbar regions of the spine |
| Superficial posterior muscles | Splenius capitis and splenius cervicis |
| Splenius capitis | Originates from the spinous processes of vertebrae C7-T3 and the nuchal ligament |
| Splenius cervicis | Originates from the spinous processes of vertebrae T3-T6 and inserts onto the transverse processes of vertebrae C1-C3 |
| Cervical spine | Comprised of seven vertebrae, enables flexion, extension, rotation and side-bending |
| SCM muscle | Largest neck muscle in the front of the neck |
| SCM muscle function | Allows you to bend your neck and turn or tilt your head |
| SCM muscle issues | Tension and injuries can lead to pain and stiffness, treated with stretching, physical therapy and osteopathic manipulation |
| SCM muscle care | Manage stress, maintain good posture, stretch regularly |
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What You'll Learn
- The SCM muscle is the largest muscle in the front of your neck
- The cervical spine is composed of seven vertebrae
- The neck muscles support your head and help you perform a range of movements
- The neck muscles are innervated by various cervical nerves and their branches
- The neck is a complex structure of bones, muscles, nerves, blood vessels, and connective tissues
The SCM muscle is the largest muscle in the front of your neck
The neck is a complex structure of bones, muscles, nerves, blood vessels, lymphatics, and other connective tissues. The muscles in the neck are skeletal muscles, meaning they are attached to bones by tendons. There are about 30 muscles in the neck, which can be categorised into three main groups: anterior (front), lateral (side), and posterior (back).
The sternocleidomastoid (SCM) muscle is the largest muscle in the front of the neck. It is a powerful muscle that allows you to bend your neck and turn or tilt your head. The SCM muscle extends from the mastoid process at the base of the skull to the collarbones (clavicles) and breastbone (sternum). It gets its name from its location and its parts: 'sterno' refers to the sternum or breastbone, and 'cleido' refers to the clavicle or collarbone.
The SCM muscle is a paired muscle, with two parts. One part, the sternal head, begins at the breastbone and travels up both sides of the neck. The other part, the clavicular head, begins in the centre of the left and right collarbones and travels up both sides of the neck, merging with the sternal head. The SCM muscle borders two neck regions known as triangles: the inner part bounds the anterior triangle, while the outer part bounds the posterior triangle.
The SCM muscle is an important landmark in the neck, dividing it into the anterior and posterior triangles. It helps to stabilise the neck and 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. The SCM muscle is also involved in breathing, working with other neck muscles to lift the breastbone and collarbone when inhaling to create space for the lungs to take in air.
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The cervical spine is composed of seven vertebrae
The neck is a complex structure of bones, muscles, nerves, blood vessels, lymphatics, and other connective tissues. The cervical spine, or the bony part of the neck, is composed of seven vertebrae (C1 to C7). These vertebrae are connected by facet joints, which allow for the forward, backward, and twisting motions of the neck. The cervical spine provides support for the weight of the head, protection for the spinal cord, and a wide range of head motions.
The first two vertebrae, C1 and C2, are considered "atypical" due to their unique bony structures designed to support and move the skull. C1, also known as the atlas, is a ring-shaped vertebra that forms the occipital-atlanto (OA) joint with the skull. This joint bears the weight of the skull and provides flexibility for head movements. C2, or the axis, articulates with C1 through a bony structure called the dens or odontoid process.
The cervical spine has several important functions. It stabilizes the head, allowing the eyes to be parallel to the ground, which is crucial for balance and vestibular function. The cervical spine's flexibility enables large movements to scan surroundings and interact with the environment. It also aids in swallowing and elevating the rib cage during inhalation.
The cervical spine is surrounded by muscles, which provide further support and mobility for the neck and head. These muscles include the anterior, lateral, and posterior groups, with specific functions attributed to their positions. For example, the lateral neck muscles help with head movements and twisting and tilting of the cervical spine. The infrahyoid muscles move the larynx up and down, while the scalene muscles assist with breathing by moving the first two ribs.
Maintaining strong and healthy neck muscles is important, as they provide stability and support for the head and upper back, enabling a range of movements. Proper neck function is vital, and injuries to this region can have significant consequences.
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The neck muscles support your head and help you perform a range of movements
The neck is a complex structure of bones, muscles, nerves, blood vessels, and connective tissues. The neck muscles support the head and enable a wide range of movements, including turning, tilting, and bending the head. They also assist with chewing, swallowing, and breathing.
There are about 30 muscles in the neck, divided into three main groups: anterior (front), lateral (side), and posterior (back). These muscles are attached to bones by tendons and are controlled voluntarily. The anterior group includes the superficial, suprahyoid, infrahyoid, and scalene muscles. The suprahyoid muscles move the hyoid bone during swallowing and speaking. The infrahyoid muscles, on the other hand, move the larynx up and down.
The lateral neck muscles control head movements from the base of the skull, enabling side-to-side head twists and cervical spine twists and tilts. The posterior group includes the superficial, suboccipital, and transversospinalis muscles. The superficial muscles help extend and rotate the head, while the transversospinalis muscles enable head movements forward and backward, as well as side-to-side tilting.
The cervical spine, composed of seven vertebrae, provides support and movement for the skull. Cervical vertebrae C1 and C2 have unique structures to support and move the skull. The cervical spine allows for large movements, aiding in scanning surroundings and interacting with the environment. It also helps protect vital neurovascular structures.
Maintaining neck health is crucial, as neck problems can cause pain, stiffness, and, in rare cases, require immediate medical attention. Proper posture, regular stretching, and managing stress can help prevent neck issues. Keeping the neck moving is an important part of treatment and recovery, and heat or ice applications can provide symptom relief.
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The neck muscles are innervated by various 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 skeletal muscles, meaning they are attached to bones by tendons. These muscles support the head and enable a range of movements, including chewing, swallowing, and breathing. The neck muscles also help in making facial expressions.
- Ventral root (located in front), which carries motor signals from the brain to the nerve root's myotome, or the group of muscles it controls.
- Dorsal root (located at the back), which carries sensory signals back to the brain from the nerve root's dermatome, or the specific region of skin it covers.
The cervical nerves C1, C2, and C3 help control the head and neck movements, including forward, backward, and side-to-side motions. C4 provides sensation to the neck, shoulders, and upper arms, while C5 controls the deltoid muscles of the shoulders and biceps. The C6 nerve controls the extensor muscles of the wrist and is involved in bicep control. C7 controls the triceps and wrist extensor muscles, while C8 controls the hands and provides sensation to the pinky side of the hand and forearm.
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The neck is a complex structure of bones, muscles, nerves, blood vessels, and connective tissues
There are about 30 muscles in the neck, which are skeletal muscles, meaning they are attached to bones by tendons. These muscles are responsible for the movement of the head in all directions, including forward, backward, and side-to-side movements, as well as tilting and rotating the head. The neck muscles also assist with chewing, swallowing, and breathing. The three main groups of neck muscles are the anterior, lateral, and posterior groups, with the muscles further divided based on depth, location, and function.
The anterior neck muscles include the superficial, suprahyoid, infrahyoid, and scalene muscles. The suprahyoid muscles move the hyoid bone during swallowing and speaking, while the infrahyoid muscles move the larynx up and down. The scalene muscles move the first two ribs during breathing and help stabilize the cervical spine. The lateral neck muscles control head movements from the base of the skull and allow for twisting and tilting of the cervical spine.
The posterior neck muscles include the superficial, suboccipital, and transversospinalis muscles. The superficial muscles help extend and rotate the head, while the transversospinalis muscles enable forward and backward head movements, as well as side-to-side tilting. The trapezius muscle, a large surface muscle, is involved in extending the head upward, rotating the head, and lifting the shoulder blade.
The neck also contains important nerves, such as the cervical nerves and their branches, which control cervical movements. The cervical ganglia are a trio of sympathetic nervous system ganglia found alongside the vertebral column. Additionally, the neck houses major blood vessels, including the vertebral artery, which supplies blood from the heart to the brain and spinal cord.
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Frequently asked questions
There are about 30 muscles in the neck that work together to move the head in all directions. These muscles are attached to bones by tendons and are categorised into three main groups: anterior (front), lateral (side) and posterior (back).
The sternocleidomastoid (SCM) muscle is the largest muscle in the front of the neck. It allows you to bend your neck and turn or tilt your head. The digastric muscle is another anterior muscle that sits below the jaw.
The splenius capitis and splenius cervicis are superficial muscles in the posterior neck. The scalene muscles are lateral neck muscles that help move the head and stabilise the bones in the neck.
