Logan Steele
The neck is a complex structure of bones, muscles, nerves, blood vessels, and connective tissues that support the head and enable a wide range of movements. The cervical spine, or bony part of the neck, is the most flexible part of the spine, allowing for large movements to scan our surroundings. The neck muscles play a crucial role in stabilising the neck and protecting vital neurovascular structures. These muscles include the scalene muscles, which aid in breathing by moving the first two ribs; the lateral neck muscles, which enable head movements and twisting; and the deep anterior neck flexors, which stabilise the neck and prevent forward head posture. The cervical spine also helps maintain the head in a position that allows the eyes to be parallel to the ground, aiding balance and swallowing.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of muscles in the neck | 30 |
| Functions | Stabilization and support of the head and upper back, chewing, swallowing, breathing, and making facial expressions |
| Muscles that stabilize the neck | Deep anterior neck flexors, including longus capitus, longus colli, rectus capitus anterior, and rectus capitus lateralis |
| Transversospinalis | |
| Scalene muscles | |
| Trapezius | |
| Levator scapulae | |
| Suboccipitals | |
| Erector spinae | |
| Posterior muscles | |
| Anterior muscles | |
| Middle scalene | |
| Posterior scalene | |
| Lateral neck muscles | |
| Intertransversarii | |
| Sternocleidomastoid (SCM) | |
| Conditions affecting the neck muscles | Whiplash, cervical dystonia or spasmodic torticollis, tension headaches, shoulder pain, scapular pain, TMJ dysfunction, migraines |
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What You'll Learn
The deep anterior neck flexors
The neck is a complex structure of bones, muscles, nerves, blood vessels, lymphatics, and connective tissues. The neck muscles support the head and enable a range of movements, including chewing, swallowing, and breathing. They also help with making facial expressions.
The rectus capitis lateralis and rectus capitis anterior have a primary stabilisation function at the atlantooccipital joint, where the head meets C1. The rectus capitis anterior also assists in neck flexion when acting bilaterally. When working unilaterally, the rectus capitis lateralis can assist with lateral flexion of the head on the neck to the same side at the atlantooccipital joint.
Weakness in the deep anterior neck flexors can lead to imbalances and postural issues. Many people with neck tension find that stretching provides only temporary relief. Strengthening these deep stabilising muscles is often key to resolving chronic neck pain.
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The scalene muscles
The anterior scalene is located closest to the front. It lifts the first rib during inhalation and can bend and rotate the neck. The middle scalene is the largest and longest of the three scalene muscles. It arises from the posterior tubercles of the transverse processes of the lower six cervical vertebrae. The posterior scalene occupies the farthest back position of all the scalene muscle branches. It does not contribute to the scalene triangle; only the anterior and medial branches do. 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.
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The cervical spine
In addition to these muscle groups, the cervical spine is also stabilized by the suboccipital muscles, which connect the top of the cervical spine with the base of the skull, and are needed for head extension and rotation. The splenius muscles, including the splenius capitis and splenius cervicis, belong to the superficial layer of the deep back muscles and help with head extension and lateral flexion. Lastly, the sternocleidomastoid (SCM) muscle, a large muscle that attaches to the bony mastoid process on the skull and travels down the front of the neck to connect to the sternum and collarbone, helps with head rotation and tilting the chin.
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The trapezius muscle
Injuries to the trapezius muscle are uncommon but possible. Overuse, injuries, and nerve damage are the most common causes of trapezius muscle pain. Stress can also cause trapezius muscle pain, as it can lead to unconscious muscle tension, especially in the shoulders, upper back, and neck. Symptoms of trapezius injuries include upper back pain, muscle spasms or cramps, pain between the shoulder blades, limited mobility, decreased range of motion, muscle weakness, neck and shoulder stiffness, and swelling, bruising, or tenderness in the shoulders, neck, or back.
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The levator scapulae
The main function of the levator scapulae is to elevate and retract the shoulder girdle at the scapulothoracic joint. It also acts to stabilize the scapula and the vertebral column during rotation. When the scapula is fixed, contraction of the levator scapulae leads to the lateral flexion of the cervical vertebral column to the side. If the cervical spine is fixed, the levator scapulae helps in elevating and rotating the scapula, such that the lateral angle moves inferiorly (i.e., rotates the point of the shoulder down).
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Frequently asked questions
The neck contains about 30 muscles that help stabilize and support the head and upper back. These include the deep anterior neck flexors, which consist of the longus capitus, longus colli, rectus capitus anterior, and rectus capitus lateralis. The rectus capitus is a short strap muscle that helps to stabilize the atlanto-occipital joint. The scalene muscles also help to stabilize the bones in the neck (cervical spine).
The neck muscles support the head and enable a range of movements. They also assist with chewing, swallowing, and breathing. The neck muscles also protect other neurovascular structures necessary for sustaining life.
To stabilize your neck, you can incorporate specific exercises into your workout routine, especially if you experience neck pain, tension headaches, or spend a lot of time in front of a computer or texting. One simple exercise is to lay on your back with your knees bent and slowly tuck your chin down and then back up. This helps to lengthen the muscles that connect your head to your neck.
