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The muscles in the neck and head work together to allow for a wide range of movements, including rotation, flexion, extension, and lateral bending. The neck muscles support the head and help with chewing, swallowing, and breathing. There are about 30 muscles in the neck, which is a complex structure of bones, muscles, nerves, blood vessels, lymphatics, and other connective tissues. The cervical spine is the bony part of the neck, and its primary function is to support the skull while allowing for movement. The muscles that move the head include the sternocleidomastoid, splenius capitis, splenius cervicis, and suboccipital muscles.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of muscles in the neck | 30 |
| Functions of neck muscles | Support the head, balance the head, move the head, swallow, chew, breathe, make facial expressions |
| Types of neck muscles | Scalene, lateral, posterior, suboccipital, transversospinalis, splenius capitis, splenius cervicis, trapezius, sternocleidomastoid, suprahyoid, infrahyoid |
| Neck muscle injuries | Usually not cause for alarm, but in rare cases need immediate medical attention |
| Muscle that moves the lips | Orbicularis oris |
| Muscle that closes the eye | Orbicularis oculi |
| Muscle that moves the scalp and eyebrows | Occipitofrontalis |
| Muscle that moves the eyelids | Levator palpebrae superioris |
| Muscle that moves the eyeball | Superior, inferior, medial and lateral recti muscles, superior and inferior oblique muscles |
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What You'll Learn
Neck muscles and head movement
The neck is a complex structure of bones, muscles, nerves, blood vessels, lymphatics, and other connective tissues. It supports the skull while allowing for a wide range of head movements, including rotation, flexion, extension, and lateral bending. The neck muscles are skeletal muscles, meaning they are attached to bones by tendons. They are voluntary muscles, so we control how they move and work.
The neck muscles support our head and help us perform a variety of movements. They assist with chewing, swallowing, and breathing. The muscles in the back of the neck connect the skull to the spinal column and pectoral girdle. These muscles can be categorized into three layers: the superficial layer, the deep layer, and the deepest layer.
The superficial layer includes the trapezius, splenius capitis, and splenius cervicis muscles. The trapezius controls shoulder blade movements and assists in extending and tilting the head backward. The splenius capitis and splenius cervicis muscles can extend the head, flex it laterally, and rotate it. The splenius muscles originate at the midline and run laterally and superiorly to their insertions. From the sides and back of the neck, the splenius capitis inserts onto the head region, and the splenius cervicis extends onto the cervical region.
The deep layer includes the suboccipital muscles, which are located just below the occipital bone at the base of the skull. These muscles help extend the head in different directions and are crucial for fine motor control, aiding in minor adjustments of head position and proprioception (the sense of self-movement and body position). The deepest layer also includes the interspinales cervicis and intertransversarii colli muscles.
The bilateral sternocleidomastoid (SCM), the suprahyoid, and the infrahyoid muscles are significant head flexors. The SCM muscles originate at the sternum and clavicle and attach to the mastoid process of the temporal bone. When contracted bilaterally, the SCM helps bend the head forward, whereas unilateral contraction causes lateral flexion on the same side or head rotation to the opposite side.
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Sternocleidomastoid (SCM) muscle
The sternocleidomastoid (SCM) muscle is a powerful and long two-headed 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 is located just below your skin on both the right and left sides of your neck. You can feel it by placing your fingers on both sides of your neck and turning your head from side to side.
The SCM muscle originates at the sternum and clavicle and attaches to the mastoid process of the temporal bone. The sternal head originates from the manubrium of the sternum, while the clavicular head originates from the medial third of the clavicle. The two heads then join into one muscle belly that inserts on the lateral surface of the mastoid process of the temporal bone and the lateral half of the superior nuchal line of the occipital bone.
The SCM muscle is responsible for several movements of the head and neck. When contracted bilaterally, it bends the head forward. In contrast, unilateral contraction causes lateral flexion on the same side or head rotation to the opposite side. It also functions to flex the neck both laterally and anteriorly.
Injuries, tension, sprains, strains, atrophy, and tumours can damage the SCM muscle and lead to pain and stiffness. Treatments for SCM issues include hot or cold therapy, stretches, massage, osteopathic manipulation, physical therapy, and in severe cases, surgery. Maintaining good posture and managing stress can also help to care for the SCM muscle.
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Splenius capitis and cervicis muscles
The splenius muscles originate at the midline and run laterally and superiorly to their insertions. The splenius capitis and splenius cervicis are part of this group and play a crucial role in moving the head. These muscles are located in the back of the neck, connecting the skull to the spinal column and pectoral girdle.
The splenius capitis is a posterior neck muscle, arising from the nuchal ligament and the C7 to T3 spinous processes. It inserts onto the occipital and temporal bones. When contracted on one side, it assists in lateral flexion and rotation to that same side. However, when contracted bilaterally, it aids in head extension, helping to extend the head backward.
The splenius cervicis, also known as the splenius colli, is a deep muscle of the cervical and thoracic spine. Its fibres run superiorly and laterally. It arises from the spinous processes of the third to sixth thoracic vertebrae and inserts into the upper two or three cervical vertebrae. The splenius cervicis assists in ipsilateral cervical side flexion and rotation. When contracted unilaterally, it causes lateral flexion and rotation of the head and neck to the same side. In contrast, bilateral contraction helps extend the neck.
Both the splenius capitis and splenius cervicis muscles are essential for maintaining the erect position of the head and facilitating its movement. They work in coordination with other neck muscles to enable a wide range of head movements, including extension, lateral bending, and rotation.
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Suboccipital muscles
The suboccipital muscles are a group of four muscles situated underneath the occipital bone at the base of the skull. They are located within the suboccipital compartment of the neck, deep to the sternocleidomastoid, trapezius, splenius, and semispinalis muscles. They are crucial for fine motor control, aiding in minor adjustments of head position and proprioception—the sense of self-movement and body position. They collectively act to extend and rotate the head.
The four suboccipital muscles are:
- Rectus capitis posterior major: This is the larger of the rectus capitis muscles. It originates from the spinous process of the C2 vertebrae and inserts into the lateral part of the inferior nuchal line of the occipital bone. It is involved in the extension and rotation of the head to the ipsilateral side.
- Rectus capitis posterior minor: This is the most medial of the suboccipital muscles. It originates from the posterior tubercle of the C1 vertebra and attaches to the medial part of the inferior nuchal line of the occipital bone. It is also involved in the extension and rotation of the head to the ipsilateral side.
- Obliquus capitis superior: This muscle originates from the transverse process of the C1 vertebra and attaches to the occipital bone between the superior and inferior nuchal lines. It contributes to the extension of the head.
- Obliquus capitis inferior: This is the most inferiorly positioned of the suboccipital muscles. It is the only suboccipital muscle that does not attach to the cranium. Instead, it inserts into the transverse process of the C1 vertebra on the inferoposterior part. It is involved in the rotation of the head to the ipsilateral side.
The suboccipital muscles are supplied by the vertebral artery and the deep descending branches of the occipital artery. They are all innervated by the suboccipital nerve, which is a branch of the first cervical nerve (C1). The suboccipital triangle is an anatomical landmark formed by three of these four muscles: the rectus capitis posterior major, obliquus capitis superior, and obliquus capitis inferior. This triangle is important for localizing the vertebral artery and the suboccipital nerve during surgical procedures in the posterior cervical region.
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Oral muscles of facial expression
The human face has about 20 facial muscles that enable a wide range of movements, including facial expressions, chewing, swallowing, and breathing. The oral muscles of facial expression are responsible for the movements of the mouth and lips. They are required in singing and whistling and add emphasis to vocal communication.
The oral muscles of facial expression include the orbicularis oris, buccinator, and various smaller muscles. The orbicularis oris is a circular muscle that closes the lips to narrow the oral opening. It arises from the maxilla and from the other muscles of the cheek and inserts into the skin and mucous membrane of the lips. The buccinator muscle, on the other hand, is a thin, square-shaped muscle located between the mandible and maxilla, deep to the other muscles of the face. It holds the cheek toward the teeth and is essential for whistling, blowing, and sucking, as well as contributing to the action of chewing.
The depressor anguli oris, depressor labii inferioris, and mentalis are part of the lower group of oral muscles. The depressor anguli oris depresses the angle of the mouth, contributing to expressions of sadness or anger, while also assisting in opening the mouth during speaking or eating. The depressor labii inferioris is found in the chin and helps control the lower lip's movement. The mentalis is located toward the center of the chin and assists in controlling the lower lip's movement.
The upper group of oral muscles includes the risorius, zygomaticus major, zygomaticus minor, levator labii superioris, levator labii superioris alaeque nasi, and levator anguli oris. The risorius is a highly variable muscle that arises from several origin points and converges toward the angles of the mouth, helping to produce a smile. The zygomaticus major is a thin muscle that arises from the lateral surface of the zygomatic bone and extends to the angle of the mouth, contributing to smiling in synergy with other muscles. The zygomaticus minor works with other muscles of the upper lip to elevate and evert the upper lip, contributing to expressions such as smiling, frowning, or grimacing. The levator labii superioris can enable smiling or showing disgust, while the levator labii superioris alaeque nasi can open the nostrils and lift the upper lip. Lastly, the levator anguli oris is a muscle that assists in smiling.
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Frequently asked questions
The neck muscles support the head and help it move in a range of motions. These include rotation, flexion, extension, and lateral bending.
The neck muscles are skeletal muscles, meaning they are attached to bones by tendons. There are about 30 muscles in the neck, and they are voluntary muscles, so you control how they move and work.
The neck muscles include the splenius capitis, splenius cervicis, trapezius, sternocleidomastoid, and scalene muscles.
The splenius muscles run from the midline of the neck and back, laterally and superiorly, inserting into the head and cervical regions. They can extend the head, flex it laterally, and rotate it.
The scalene muscles move the first two ribs during breathing, stabilize the cervical spine, and help move the head.
