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The neck muscles are responsible for rotating the head. There are about 30 neck muscles, extending from the base of the skull and jaw down to the shoulder blades and collarbone. These muscles support and stabilise the head, neck, and upper part of the spine, and help with a variety of movements, including rotating the head. The neck muscles can be sub-categorised into anterior, lateral (prevertebral), and posterior neck muscles. The cervical spine also plays a crucial role in allowing head rotation, by stabilising and maintaining the head in a position that keeps our eyes parallel to the ground.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of neck muscles | 30 |
| Muscle groups | Anterior, lateral (prevertebral), and posterior |
| Muscle functions | Support and stabilise the head, neck, and upper spine; assist with chewing, swallowing, and breathing |
| Muscles rotating the head | Sternocleidomastoid, splenius, levator scapulae, trapezius, longus capitis, semispinalis capitis and cervicis, rotatores cervicis, transversospinalis, cervical spine |
| Conditions | Torticollis, cervical dystonia, spasmodic torticollis |
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What You'll Learn
The neck's lateral muscles control head movements
The neck is made up of about 30 muscles, extending from the base of the skull and jaw down to the shoulder blades and collarbone. These muscles support and stabilise the head, neck, and the upper part of the spine, and help with a range of movements, including rotating the head.
The neck muscles can be divided into three main groups: anterior, lateral (prevertebral), and posterior. The lateral muscles are responsible for controlling head movements from the base of the skull, allowing the head to twist from side to side and the cervical spine to twist and tilt.
The splenius muscles, for example, originate at the midline and run laterally and superiorly to their insertions. They can extend, laterally flex, and rotate the head. The trapezius muscle, meanwhile, produces lateral flexion and contralateral rotation of the head when acting unilaterally and extends the head when acting bilaterally.
The levator scapulae and the trapezius are both neck and shoulder muscles. The levator scapulae is a deep muscle responsible for the posture "shoulder up and forward", and it works with the splenius in turning the head to the same side. The trapezius, on the other hand, is a superficial muscle that can contribute to the rotation of the head to the opposite side, working together with the SCM (sternocleidomastoid).
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The splenius muscles extend, flex, and rotate the head
The splenius muscles, comprising the splenius capitis and splenius cervicis, are responsible for extending, flexing, and rotating the head. These muscles are located in the superficial layer of the deep, or intrinsic, back muscles, also known as the posterior neck muscles. They originate at the midline and run laterally and superiorly towards their insertions, with the splenius capitis inserting into the head region and the splenius cervicis extending into the cervical region.
The splenius capitis is a broad, strap-like muscle that arises from the lower half of the nuchal ligament and the spinous processes of the seventh cervical vertebra (C7) and the first three thoracic vertebrae (T1-T3). It inserts into the mastoid process of the temporal bone and the occipital bone, just below the lateral superior nuchal line. This muscle acts as an extensor and lateral flexor of the neck and assists in rotating the head. When contracted bilaterally, it results in the extension of the head on the neck. Unilateral contraction, in coordination with the contralateral sternocleidomastoid muscle, leads to lateral flexion and rotation of the head towards the ipsilateral side.
The splenius cervicis, on the other hand, arises from the spinous processes of the cervical and upper thoracic vertebrae. It is involved in the extension of the spine and contributes to the stability and movement of the cervical spine. While the splenius capitis primarily influences head movements, the splenius cervicis plays a more significant role in spinal extension and lateral flexion.
Other muscles that contribute to head rotation include the longus capitis, which acts as a weak flexor of the head when acting bilaterally, and the semispinalis capitis and cervicis, which also contribute to lateral flexion of the head. Additionally, the superior portion of the trapezius muscle acts as a lateral flexor of the neck.
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The trapezius muscle contributes to head rotation
The trapezius muscle is a large, triangular, paired muscle located on the posterior aspect of the neck and thorax. Each side of the neck has one trapezius muscle that extends across the shoulders and down to the middle of the back. The trapezius muscle is involved in several movements of the head and neck.
The trapezius muscle is also involved in maintaining and adjusting posture, such as standing up straight or bending the upper back forward. It helps with side bending, elevating and depressing the shoulders, and internally rotating the arm. The trapezius muscle is essential for shoulder movements, working with the deltoid muscle and the rotator cuff muscles during a throwing action.
The trapezius muscle has three sections: upper, middle, and lower. The upper trapezius is frequently involved in neck injuries, and its pain referral pattern extends to the head. The middle trapezius, or transverse fibres, work with the rhomboids to produce a retraction of the scapula by pulling it towards the midline. The lower trapezius, or ascending fibres, are responsible for depressing the medial part of the scapula, lowering the shoulder.
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The longus capitis and longus colli muscles flex the head
The longus capitis and longus colli muscles are responsible for flexing the head. These muscles, along with the rectus capitis anterior and scalenus anterior muscles, are categorised as anterior prevertebral muscles.
The longus capitis is a weak flexor of the head when acting bilaterally, while unilateral contraction of the muscle results in ipsilateral rotation of the head.
The longus colli, also known as the longus cervicis, is a long muscle that spans the entire cervical spine and the upper vertebrae of the thoracic spine. It is divided into three sections: superior, intermediate, and inferior. The superior part originates from the anterior tubercles of the transverse processes of vertebrae C3-C5 and attaches to the anterior tubercle of vertebra C1. The intermediate part arises from the anterior surface of bodies of vertebrae C5-T3 and inserts into the anterior surface of bodies of vertebrae C2-C4. The inferior part, the smallest section of the longus colli muscle, arises from the anterior surfaces of bodies of the first three thoracic vertebrae (T1-T3) and attaches to the anterior tubercles of transverse processes of vertebrae C5-C6. The longus colli muscle is responsible for forward and lateral flexion of the neck, as well as rotation of the neck.
The splenius muscles, including the splenius capitis and splenius cervicis, also play a role in head rotation. These muscles originate at the midline and run laterally and superiorly to their insertions. They can extend, laterally flex, and rotate the head. Similarly, the trapezius muscle, innervated by the accessory nerve (CN XI), contributes to lateral flexion and contralateral rotation of the head when acting unilaterally, and extension of the head when acting bilaterally.
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The cervical spine supports the head and neck while allowing rotation
The cervical spine, or neck area of the spine, is composed of seven stacked bones called vertebrae. The cervical spine supports the weight of the head, which is around 10 to 13 pounds, and allows for a range of movements, including flexion, extension, rotation, and side-bending.
The cervical spine is essential for stabilising and maintaining the head in a position that allows the eyes to be parallel to the ground. This is crucial for vestibular function, which assists in balance. The cervical spine also enables large movements, such as scanning our surroundings and adjusting to interact with our environment. Additionally, it aids in swallowing and helps elevate the rib cage during inhalation.
The cervical spine contains several muscles that support and enable the movement of the head and neck. These muscles can be divided into anterior, lateral, and posterior groups based on their position in the neck. One of the key landmarks is the sternocleidomastoid muscle, which divides the neck into the anterior and vertebral regions. It allows for rotation of the head to the side and tilting the chin upward.
Other muscles in the cervical spine region include the trapezius, levator scapulae, erector spinae, deep cervical flexors, and suboccipital muscles. The trapezius muscle helps tilt the head upward, move the neck backward, rotate the head, and lift the shoulder blade. The levator scapulae attaches to the first four cervical vertebrae and the top of the shoulder blade, assisting in lifting the shoulder blade, bending the head to the side, and rotating the head. The erector spinae group forms the majority of the muscle mass of the back and is the primary extensor of the vertebral column, controlling flexion, lateral flexion, and rotation. The deep cervical flexors run down the front of the cervical spine, enabling forward neck flexion and stabilisation. The suboccipital muscles consist of four pairs of muscles that connect the top of the cervical spine with the base of the skull.
The cervical spine also contains ligaments that connect bone to bone, providing stability. The three major cervical spine ligaments are the anterior longitudinal ligament, posterior longitudinal ligament, and ligamentum flava. These ligaments help resist backward and forward neck motions and protect the spinal cord.
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Frequently asked questions
The muscles that help rotate the head are the neck muscles, which support and stabilise the head and neck. These include the splenius muscles, the levator scapulae, the trapezius, the SCM, the longus capitis, the longus colli, and the semispinalis capitis and cervicis.
Cervical rotation is the act of turning the head to the left or right. The cervical spine supports the head and neck while allowing for rotation.
The neck muscles help with a variety of movements, including chewing, swallowing, breathing, and moving the head. They also help stabilise the head, neck, and the upper part of the spine.
Cervical dystonia, or spasmodic torticollis, is a condition caused by an abnormal contracture of the SCM muscle. This results in a rotational deformity where the head tilts towards the affected side.
