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The muscles that move the head are a complex group of structures that work together to enable a wide range of head movements, including rotation, flexion, extension, and lateral bending. There are about 30 neck muscles that support and stabilise the head, neck, and upper spine, and help with chewing, swallowing, and breathing. The SCM, or sternocleidomastoid, is a significant head flexor that contracts bilaterally to bend the head forward, while unilateral contraction causes lateral flexion on the same side or head rotation to the opposite side. The splenius muscle also contributes to the rotation of the head to the same side. The semispinalis capitis is another muscle that plays a role in extending and rotating the head, allowing us to look up and turn our heads from side to side.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of neck muscles | 30 |
| Functions | Support and stabilise the head, neck, and upper spine; enable head movement; assist with chewing, swallowing, breathing, speech, facial expressions, and eye movement |
| Types | Lateral neck muscles (anterior, middle, and posterior scalenes); suboccipital muscles; transversospinalis muscles; deep layer (cervical transversospinalis muscles, such as the semispinalis capitis, semispinalis cervicis, and multifidus cervicis); superficial layer (trapezius, splenius capitis, and splenius cervicis) |
| Flexion and Extension | SCM contracts bilaterally to bend the head forward; unilateral contraction causes lateral flexion on the same side or head rotation to the opposite side |
| Rotation | SCM unilateral contraction causes head rotation to the opposite side; splenius capitis unilateral contraction assists lateral flexion and rotation to the same side |
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What You'll Learn
The SCM muscle turns your head to the opposite side
The sternocleidomastoid (SCM) muscle is a powerful neck muscle that allows you to bend, turn, and tilt your head. It is the largest muscle in the front of your neck and is located just below your skin. You can feel it on both sides of your neck. The SCM muscle originates at the sternum and clavicle and attaches to the mastoid process of the temporal bone. The SCM contracts bilaterally to bend the head forward, whereas unilateral contraction causes lateral flexion on the same side or head rotation to the opposite side. For example, the right SCM turns the head to the left.
The SCM muscle is a long, superficial muscle that is easy to palpate on the front of the neck. It extends from the base of your skull (mastoid process) and down both sides of your neck until it ends at your sternum (sternal head) or clavicle (clavicular head). The SCM muscle borders two neck regions known as triangles—the anterior triangle and the posterior triangle. These triangles contain important nerves, blood vessels, lymph nodes, and glands.
The SCM muscle is one of the muscles that move the head. It is a dynamic and complex structure that works together with other muscles to facilitate a wide range of head movements, including rotation, flexion, extension, and lateral bending. The SCM muscle helps to bend the neck and turn and tilt the head. It activates when you turn your head to face left or right, tilt your head toward your right or left shoulder, tilt your head backward with your chin up, or tilt your head forward with your chin to your chest.
The SCM muscle also helps to stabilize your neck and maintain your posture. It works with other neck muscles to lift your breastbone and collarbone when you inhale. In addition, the SCM muscle is used in breathing and swallowing.
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The left splenius turns your head to the left
The neck muscles are a complex musculoskeletal system that connects the base of the skull to the torso. There are about 30 neck muscles that support and stabilise the head, neck, and the upper part of the spine. They help with a variety of movements, including turning the head from side to side.
The left splenius is one of the neck muscles that turns your head to the left. The splenius is a deep muscle, located on the upper back, and along with the splenius cervicis, it makes up the superficial layer of intrinsic back muscles. This muscle group extends and rotates the head and neck. The splenius capitis is a thick, flat muscle at the back of the neck that pulls on the base of the skull from the vertebrae in the upper thorax and the neck. It acts as an extensor and lateral flexor of the neck, assisting with its rotation.
The left splenius works with the left levator scapulae to rotate the head to the left. The levator scapulae is a deep muscle that lifts the shoulder and contributes to the posture of "shoulder up and forward". The left splenius and left levator scapulae work together to turn the head to the left.
In addition to the left splenius and left levator scapulae, other muscles are also involved in turning the head to the left. These include the lateral neck muscles, which control head movements from the base of the skull and allow for twisting and tilting movements of the head and neck. The suboccipital muscles, located just below the occipital bone at the base of the skull, help extend the head in different directions. The transversospinalis muscles enable movement of the head forward and backward, as well as tilting it from side to side.
It is important to note that the neck muscles are skeletal muscles, meaning they are attached to bones by tendons. They are voluntary muscles, so individuals have control over their movements. However, neck muscle injuries, such as strains, can be painful and may require medical attention in rare cases.
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The trapezius muscle turns your head to the opposite side
The human neck is a complex structure of bones, muscles, nerves, blood vessels, lymphatics, and other connective tissues. The cervical spine, which is the bony part of the neck, supports the skull and allows for movement. The neck muscles support the head and help with a variety of movements, including turning the head from side to side.
There are about 30 neck muscles, extending from the base of the skull and jaw down to the shoulder blades and collarbone. These muscles help move the head in different directions. The SCM (sternocleidomastoid) muscle, for example, is a powerful neck muscle that allows you to bend, turn, or tilt your head. When the SCM contracts on both sides, it helps to bend the head forward, while contraction on one side facilitates lateral flexion or rotation to the opposite side.
The trapezius is another muscle that contributes to the rotation of the head to the opposite side. It is a superficial muscle, meaning it is located near the surface of the body. It works together with the SCM muscle to turn the head. For instance, the right trapezius muscle works with the right SCM muscle to turn the head to the left.
In addition to the trapezius and SCM muscles, other muscles that facilitate head movement include the splenius, levator scapulae, and scalene muscles. The splenius and levator scapulae muscles work together to turn the head to the same side. The scalene muscles, on the other hand, run diagonally along the vertebral column and facilitate lateral flexion.
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The levator scapulae turns your head to the same side
The levator scapulae is a slender muscle that is part of the human body's superficial extrinsic back muscles. It is one of about 30 neck muscles that support and stabilise the head, neck and the upper part of the spine, helping with a range of movements. It is also one of two muscles that are both neck and shoulder muscles, the other being the trapezius.
The levator scapulae muscle extends from the transverse processes of vertebrae C1-C4 to the medial border of the scapula. Its main function is to elevate the scapula, but it also acts with other muscles to stabilise the spine and extend and laterally flex the neck.
The levator scapulae is prone to stiffening and chronic pain due to poor posture in everyday life. This can be caused by carrying heavy shoulder bags, permanently lifting the shoulders while sitting at a desk, or sleeping on one side of the body without proper head support.
The levator scapulae works with the splenius to turn the head to the same side. For example, the left levator scapulae will work with the left splenius to rotate the head to the left.
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The semispinalis capitis rotates your head
The semispinalis capitis is a deep cervical transversospinalis muscle that plays a crucial role in rotating the head. Located in the upper back portion of the neck, it is responsible for both extending and rotating the head, enabling us to look up and turn our heads from side to side.
During unilateral contraction, the semispinalis capitis muscle rotates the head to the opposite side at the atlantoaxial joints. This means that if the right semispinalis capitis muscle contracts, the head rotates to the left, and vice versa. This unilateral action allows us to turn our heads and look to the side.
On the other hand, during bilateral contraction, the semispinalis capitis extends the head at the atlantooccipital joints. This bilateral contraction helps maintain the balance of the head on the neck and contributes to the cervical lordosis, the natural curve of the neck.
Injury to the semispinalis capitis muscle can occur from a blow to the head or whiplash in a car accident. Symptoms of such an injury include tenderness in the back of the head and neck, numbness in the scalp, pain in the temple radiating to the eye, headaches, and neck pain. Treatment typically involves rest, isolation of the head and neck with cushioning, anti-inflammatory medications, and physical therapy exercises.
The semispinalis capitis is part of a complex group of muscles that work together to enable a wide range of head movements, including rotation, flexion, extension, and lateral bending. These muscles include the bilateral sternocleidomastoid (SCM), the splenius capitis, the splenius cervicis, and the trapezius. Understanding the function of the semispinalis capitis and its interaction with these other muscles is essential for maintaining proper head and neck movement and stability.
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Frequently asked questions
The neck muscles are responsible for turning your head. There are about 30 neck muscles that extend from the skull and jaw down to the shoulder blades and collarbone. These muscles include the splenius, levator scapulae, trapezius, and sternocleidomastoid (SCM) muscles.
The SCM muscle is a significant head flexor that helps bend the head forward when contracted bilaterally. However, unilateral contraction of the SCM causes lateral flexion on the same side or head rotation to the opposite side.
The masseter and temporalis muscles are responsible for elevating and closing the jaw during chewing. The buccinator muscle makes up most of the face and enables functions like whistling, blowing, and sucking. The corrugator supercilii muscle controls the movement of the eyebrows.
Neck muscles are crucial for supporting and stabilising the head, neck, and upper spine. They enable a wide range of movements, including chewing, swallowing, breathing, and turning the head. Additionally, the neck acts as a conduit for the brain to communicate with the rest of the body, facilitating the transmission of motor and sensory information.
