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The neck is a complex structure of bones, muscles, nerves, blood vessels, and connective tissues. The neck muscles support the head and enable it to move in different directions. They also assist with chewing, swallowing, and breathing. There are about 30 neck muscles, which can be categorised into anterior, lateral, and posterior muscles. The sternocleidomastoid is a large, two-headed neck muscle that produces flexion of the neck when contracted bilaterally. The longus colli is another muscle that flexes the neck. The deep neck flexors, or prevertebral cervical muscles, are a group of small but important muscles that stabilise the cervical column and the skull.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of neck muscles | 30 |
| Muscle function | Support and stabilise the head, neck and upper spine; enable movement of the head and neck; assist with chewing, swallowing and breathing |
| Muscle categories | Anterior (front), lateral (side) or posterior (back) |
| Anterior muscle groups | Superficial, suprahyoid, infrahyoid and scalene |
| Lateral muscle groups | Anterior, middle and posterior scalene |
| Posterior muscle groups | Suboccipital |
| Flexion muscles | Rectus capitis anterior, rectus capitis lateralis, longus capitis, longus colli, sternocleidomastoid, anterior scalene, middle scalene, posterior scalene |
| Flexion exercises | Deep neck flexor training, craniocervical flexion exercise (CFE), chin retraction |
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What You'll Learn
The Sternocleidomastoid muscle
The sternocleidomastoid (SCM) muscle is a large, two-headed muscle in the neck. It is a powerful muscle that allows you to bend your neck and turn or tilt your head. The SCM muscle is the largest muscle in the front of your neck and is located just below your skin.
The SCM muscle has a variety of functions. It helps stabilize your neck even when you are not moving. It also assists with breathing by working with other neck muscles to lift your breastbone and collarbone when you inhale. The movement creates space for your lungs to take in air. The SCM muscle also supports the temporomandibular joint (TMJ), which is the joint that connects your jaw to your skull. The TMJ allows you to open and close your mouth, and problems with the SCM muscle can lead to TMJ disorders (TMD).
The SCM muscle is also involved in maintaining your posture and has been shown to be electrically activated by vestibular stimulation. It has inspiratory muscle action by taking a fixed point on the temporal bone and then lifting the sternum and the clavicles.
The SCM muscle is susceptible to strain and injury due to its size and complexity. Injuries, sprains, strains, atrophy, and tumors can damage the SCM muscle. Conditions such as sternocleidomastoid syndrome, torticollis (wryneck), and TMD can occur due to problems with the SCM muscle. Treatment options for SCM issues include massage, osteopathic manipulation, physical therapy, and surgery in severe cases.
The SCM muscle is innervated by the accessory nerve (CN XI) and anterior rami of spinal nerves C2 and C3. Its blood supply is provided by the superior thyroid artery, a branch of the external carotid artery, and other branches of the occipital, posterior auricular, and suprascapular arteries.
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The Longus Colli muscle
The neck is a complex structure of bones, muscles, nerves, blood vessels, lymphatics, and other connective tissues. The neck muscles help us perform a variety of movements, from chewing and swallowing to moving our head.
The longus colli is composed of three parts: the superior oblique part, the vertical intermediate part, and the inferior oblique part. The superior oblique portion arises from the anterior tubercles of the transverse processes of the third, fourth, and fifth cervical vertebrae. It then ascends in a diagonal direction with a medial inclination and is inserted into the tubercle on the anterior arch of the atlas. The inferior oblique portion is the smallest section of the muscle, arising from the front of the bodies of the first two or three thoracic vertebrae. This part ascends obliquely in a lateral direction and is inserted into the anterior tubercles of the fifth and sixth cervical vertebrae.
The main function of the longus colli is to flex the neck. It is responsible for forward and lateral flexion of the neck, as well as some rotational movements. The muscle also has a postural function, influencing the cervical curvature and counteracting the effects of head weight and posterior cervical muscle contraction.
The blood supply to the longus colli muscle comes from the muscular branches of three arteries: the ascending cervical artery, a branch of the inferior thyroid artery; the ascending pharyngeal artery; and the vertebral artery. The muscle is innervated by the anterior rami of the second to sixth cervical spinal nerves (C2-C6).
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The Rectus Capitis muscle
The neck is a complex structure of bones, muscles, nerves, blood vessels, lymphatics, and other connective tissues. The neck muscles can be categorized into anterior, lateral (prevertebral), and posterior muscles. The neck muscles support the head and help with various movements, including chewing, swallowing, and breathing.
The rectus capitis is a short strap muscle that arises from the anterior surface of the lateral mass of the atlas (C1 vertebra) and inserts onto the basilar part of the occipital bone, anterior to the foramen magnum. The rectus capitis is one of the anterior vertebral muscles, a deep group of muscles located just anterior to the cervical vertebral column. These muscles are surrounded by the prevertebral fascia of the neck and are, therefore, commonly referred to as prevertebral muscles.
The innervation of the rectus capitis comes from the anterior rami of spinal nerves C1 and C2, while its blood supply is provided by branches of the vertebral and ascending pharyngeal arteries. The principal function of the rectus capitis anterior is to flex the head at the atlanto-occipital joint and stabilize this joint.
The rectus capitis posterior major (or rectus capitis posticus major) is a muscle in the upper back part of the neck. It is one of the suboccipital muscles and has an inferior attachment at the spinous process of the axis (second cervical vertebra). Its superior attachment is onto the outer surface of the occipital bone on and around the side part of the inferior nuchal line. The rectus capitis posterior major muscle is triangular in shape and is involved in extending the head on the neck. When the muscle contracts bilaterally, it acts to extend the head, while unilateral contraction rotates the head ipsilaterally at the atlanto-axial joint.
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The Platysma muscle
The platysma is often an overlooked muscle of facial expression due to its location on the neck, but it does contribute to facial expressions. The platysma is supplied by the cervical branch of the facial nerve (cranial nerve VII). The facial nerve has several main branches: the temporal, zygomatic, buccal, marginal mandibular, and cervical branches. The primary innervation of the platysma is by the cervical branch; however, there are instances of aberrant innervation to some muscle fibres by the marginal mandibular branch.
The platysma is contained within the superficial cervical fascia, which is a zone of loose connective tissue between the dermis and deep cervical fascia. The platysma originates from the fascia that covers the clavicle, the acromial region, and the superior portions of the pectoralis major and deltoid muscles. From its origin, the platysma passes over the clavicle and ascends through the anterolateral sides of the neck.
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The Scalene muscles
The anterior scalene is the most anterior of the scalene muscles. It arises from the anterior tubercles of the transverse processes of vertebrae C3-C6 and inserts onto the scalene tubercle of the superior surface of the first rib. The anterior scalene can bend and rotate the neck. When both anterior scalenes work together, they flex (bend) the neck. The anterior scalene also lifts the first rib during inhalation and is considered an accessory breathing muscle.
The middle scalene is the largest and longest of the three scalene muscles. It arises from the transverse processes of the last 6 cervical vertebrae, between the anterior and posterior tubercles, and inserts on the superior surface of the first rib. The middle scalene receives its nerve supply from the anterior rami of cervical spinal nerves C3-C8. The middle scalene and anterior scalene muscles lift the first rib and bend the neck to the same side as the acting muscle.
The posterior scalene is the smallest and most deeply seated of the scalene muscles. It arises from the posterior tubercles of the transverse processes of the last 3 or 4 cervical vertebrae and inserts on the anterior surface of the second rib. The posterior scalene lifts the second rib and tilts the neck to the same side. When only one posterior scalene is contracting, it flexes and rotates the neck joints. When both posterior scalenes contract, they cause the neck to flex and raise the second rib. The posterior scalene is also considered an accessory breathing muscle because it lifts the second rib during inhalation.
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Frequently asked questions
The anterior neck muscles are a group of muscles located at the front of the neck. They can be further divided into four regions: superficial, suprahyoid, infrahyoid, and scalene muscles.
The lateral neck muscles, also known as the lateral vertebral muscles, pass obliquely along the sides of the neck. They include the anterior, middle, and posterior scalene muscles.
The sternocleidomastoid is a large, two-headed anterior neck muscle that divides the neck into anterior and vertebral regions. The scalene muscles are lateral neck muscles that act to flex the neck.
