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The human 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 chewing, swallowing, breathing, and rotating the head. There are about 30 muscles in the neck, including the suboccipital muscles, which are particularly vulnerable to strain and spasms in the event of trauma, such as whiplash during a car accident. The neck muscles work in conjunction with tendons and ligaments to support and move the neck and head.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of muscles in the neck | 30 |
| Location of neck muscles | Front, sides, and back of the neck |
| Functions of neck muscles | Support the head, enable a range of movements, assist with chewing, swallowing, and breathing, and help make facial expressions |
| Types of neck muscles | Transversospinalis, suboccipital, splenius capitis, splenius cervicis, sternocleidomastoid, scalene, deep cervical flexors, erector spinae, trapezius, levator scapulae, scalenes, and more |
| Susceptibility to injuries | Vulnerable to strain and spasms in trauma, e.g., whiplash in car accidents or rapid deceleration injuries |
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What You'll Learn
Neck muscles support the head
The neck muscles support the head and enable a wide range of movements. They also assist with chewing, swallowing, breathing, and making facial expressions. There are about 30 muscles in the neck that allow for these various movements.
The neck muscles work together with tendons and ligaments to support the neck and the head. Tendons are connective tissues that attach muscles to bones, while ligaments attach bones to other bones. Some common muscles involved with neck pain include the sternocleidomastoid, trapezius, levator scapulae, scalenes, deep cervical flexors, erector spinae, and suboccipitals.
The suboccipital muscles are a group of four muscles located in the posterior region of the neck, inferior to the occipital bone. These muscles serve as postural support for the head and neck and allow for neck extension and rotation movements. The four muscles are the rectus capitis posterior major, rectus capitis posterior minor, obliquus capitis superior, and obliquus capitis inferior.
The sternocleidomastoid muscle, commonly called the SCM, is a large muscle that helps protect fragile structures within the neck. It attaches to the bony mastoid process on the skull and travels down the front of the neck to connect to the sternum and collarbone. The SCM muscle helps with head rotation and tilting the chin. It also works with the SCM muscle on the other side of the neck to flex the neck and raise the sternum to assist in forced inhalation.
The splenius capitis and splenius cervicis, located in the back of the neck, also work to rotate the head. The scalene muscles are three pairs of lateral neck muscles that connect the mid and lower cervical spine with the top of the rib cage. They help with neck flexion and side bending.
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Suboccipital muscles enable head movement
The suboccipital muscles are a group of four muscles located in the posterior region of the neck, underneath the occipital bone. These muscles are the rectus capitis posterior major, rectus capitis posterior minor, obliquus capitis superior, and obliquus capitis inferior. They provide postural support to the head and neck and enable neck extension and rotation movements.
The suboccipital muscles are responsible for maintaining posture and facilitating head movements. They allow for extension, lateral flexion, and rotation at the atlanto-axial joints. The rectus capitis posterior major and minor enable extension and rotation to the ipsilateral side, while the obliquus capitis inferior facilitates rotation to the same side. The obliquus capitis superior, meanwhile, aids in extension and lateral flexion.
The suboccipital muscles are innervated by the suboccipital nerve, which is a branch of the C1 spinal nerve. This nerve helps control the movement and function of these muscles. The suboccipital triangle, formed by three of these four muscles, is a significant anatomical landmark. It allows for the localisation of the vertebral artery and the suboccipital nerve, which is crucial for surgeons operating in the posterior cervical region to avoid life-threatening bleeding.
The suboccipital muscles are susceptible to strain and spasms due to their role in supporting and enabling head and neck movements. Trauma, such as whiplash in car accidents or rapid deceleration injuries, can cause suboccipital muscle strain or spasm, leading to ongoing pain and headaches. Treatment for such injuries typically involves conservative and supportive management, similar to the approach for muscular strains in other parts of the body.
In summary, the suboccipital muscles play a crucial role in enabling head movement, providing postural support, and facilitating neck extension and rotation. Their function and anatomical relationship with surrounding structures make them important for maintaining head and neck stability and mobility.
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Sternocleidomastoid muscles help with head rotation
The sternocleidomastoid muscle is a powerful neck muscle that supports the head and 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. This muscle is responsible for various functions, including bending the neck, turning or tilting the head, and helping with breathing and posture maintenance.
The sternocleidomastoid muscle is closely related to neurovascular structures that pass through the neck towards the head or the periphery of the body. It is also associated with the accessory nerve, sharing this connection with the trapezius muscle. The contraction of this muscle can result in a condition called torticollis or wry neck, which causes the head to appear tilted to one side.
One of the critical functions of the sternocleidomastoid muscle is to facilitate head rotation. When one side of the muscle contracts, it causes the head to rotate to the opposite side. This movement is known as contralateral head rotation. At the same time, the muscle also flexes laterally to the same side as the contraction, a movement called ipsilateral flexion.
Additionally, the sternocleidomastoid muscle plays a role in inspiratory breathing. When the head is fixed or stabilised, contraction of this muscle elevates the sternum and clavicle, expanding the thoracic cavity and facilitating inhalation. This coordination with other neck muscles ensures efficient breathing.
The muscle is susceptible to injuries, tension, and strain due to its size and complexity. Conditions like sternocleidomastoid syndrome can cause neck stiffness, pain, and trigger points within the muscle. Maintaining good posture, managing stress, and performing regular neck stretches can help prevent and treat issues associated with this muscle.
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Transversospinalis muscles move the head forward and backward
The neck muscles support the head and enable a wide range of movements, including moving the head forward and backward, chewing, swallowing, and breathing. There are about 30 neck muscles that extend from the base of the skull and jaw down to the shoulder blades and collarbone.
The transversospinalis muscles are a deep group of back muscles that lie deep to the Erector Spinae. They include three major subgroups: semispinalis, multifidus, and rotatores. The transversospinalis muscles help move the head forward and backward, as well as tilt it from side to side. They also help stabilize the spine and move the cervical, thoracic, and lumbar regions of the spine.
The semispinalis muscle has a unique function due to its attachment to the skull. Bilateral contraction of this muscle draws the head backward, extending the neck and thoracic spine. Unilateral contraction, on the other hand, causes ipsilateral flexion of the neck and thoracic spine with contralateral rotation of the head. The semispinalis is the most superficial of the transversospinalis muscle group, originating from the transverse process and crossing between four and six vertebrae to attach to the spinous process.
The multifidus muscle lies deep to the semispinalis and spans the entire length of the vertebral column, although it is most developed in the lumbar region. The rotatores brevis and longus cause rotation of the spine to the opposite side when acting bilaterally and lead to extension and hyperextension when acting unilaterally.
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The cervical spine supports the skull
The cervical spine, or neck area of the spine, supports the skull. It consists of seven stacked bones called vertebrae, which are unique in shape and function. The first vertebra, C1, is called the atlas, and the second, C2, is called the axis. The atlas holds the head upright, while the axis allows the atlas to pivot against it for the side-to-side rotation of the head. These first two vertebrae are located in the spine's craniovertebral junction, where the base of the skull meets the spinal column.
The cervical spine supports the weight of the head, which typically weighs between 10 and 13 pounds. It also allows the head and neck to tilt forward (flexion), backward (extension), turn from side to side (rotation), or bend to one side (lateral flexion). The cervical spine is a flexible structure that enables a wide range of head and neck movements. It contains a wider spinal canal to accommodate the spinal cord, blood vessels, meninges, and nerve roots.
The suboccipital muscles, a group of four muscles located inferior to the external occipital prominence of the skull, connect the top of the cervical spine with the base of the skull. These muscles enable head and neck movements such as extension and rotation. They are also clinically important due to their proximity to the vertebral artery and the posterior cranial fossa, which is accessed through a suboccipital surgical approach.
The neck muscles also play a crucial role in supporting the head and facilitating various movements. They assist with functions such as chewing, swallowing, and breathing. The transversospinalis muscles, for example, help move the cervical spine and enable movements like tilting the head forward and backward. Additionally, muscles like the sternocleidomastoid, trapezius, and levator scapulae, which attach to the cervical vertebrae, contribute to head and neck movements.
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Frequently asked questions
The muscles in the neck support the head and help with a range of movements, including chewing, swallowing, and breathing. There are about 30 muscles in the neck.
The suboccipital muscles are a group of four muscles located in the posterior region of the neck, inferior to the occipital bone. They are the rectus capitis posterior major, rectus capitis posterior minor, obliquus capitis superior, and obliquus capitis inferior. These muscles support the head and neck and allow neck extension and rotation movements.
Some common muscles involved with neck pain include the sternocleidomastoid, trapezius, levator scapulae, scalenes, deep cervical flexors, erector spinae, and suboccipitals.
