Dominic Stone
The neck is a complex structure of bones, muscles, nerves, blood vessels, and connective tissues that support the head and allow it to move in multiple directions. There are about 20-30 neck muscles that help stabilise the head, neck and upper spine, and enable a range of movements, including turning the head. These muscles include the splenius muscles, the suboccipitals, the transversospinalis, the scalene muscles, the sternocleidomastoid, and the trapezius.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of neck muscles | 20-30 |
| Functions | Support and stabilise the head, neck, and upper spine; enable head movement in multiple directions; assist with chewing, swallowing, breathing, and throat function; enable facial expressions |
| Types | Anterior, lateral (prevertebral), and posterior |
| Examples of anterior muscles | Platysma, sternocleidomastoid, subclavius, mylohyoid, geniohyoid, suprahyoid, infrahyoid, scalenes |
| Examples of lateral muscles | Splenius capitis, splenius cervicis, transversospinalis |
| Examples of posterior muscles | Superficial, suboccipital, transversospinalis |
| Nerve control | Cervical nerves C2-C5, cranial nerve XI (spinal accessory nerve) |
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What You'll Learn
The neck's musculoskeletal system
The neck is a complex musculoskeletal system that connects the base of the skull to the torso. It is composed of many bones, muscles, nerves, blood vessels, lymphatics, and other connective tissues. The neck muscles support and stabilise the head, neck, and upper spine, while also enabling a wide range of movements. There are about 20-30 neck muscles, which can be categorised into anterior, lateral, and posterior groups.
The anterior neck muscles include the platysma, which is responsible for depressing the mandible and angle of the mouth, and the suprahyoid muscles, which control the hyoid bone during swallowing and speaking. The infrahyoid muscles move the hyoid bone and larynx downwards. The scalenes, another muscle group in the anterior neck, assist in neck rotation and pulling the head back, while also playing a role in breathing by moving the upper ribs up and down.
The lateral neck muscles enable head movements and neck contraction. This group includes the sternocleidomastoid, which facilitates head and neck extension, neck flexion, and neck rotation. It also assists in throat function and elevating the clavicle.
The posterior neck muscles include the superficial muscles, which are strap-like muscles at the back of the neck that help extend and rotate the head. The suboccipital muscles, located just below the occipital bone, assist in extending the head in different directions. The transversospinalis muscles enable forward and backward head movements, as well as tilting the head from side to side. The splenius muscles, including the splenius capitis and splenius cervicis, can extend, laterally flex, and rotate the head.
The neck muscles are innervated by cervical nerves and their branches, as well as cranial nerves. The cervical ganglia, a trio of sympathetic nervous system ganglia, lie alongside the vertebral column. The neck muscles are susceptible to various conditions, including strains from poor posture, nerve compression from herniated discs, and inflammation due to arthritis or polymyalgia rheumatica.
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Anterior, lateral, and posterior neck muscles
The neck muscles are a complex musculoskeletal system that connects the skull to the torso. They are responsible for the movement of the head in all directions and assist with chewing, swallowing, and breathing. There are about 30 neck muscles that can be categorised into three groups based on their position in the neck: anterior (front), lateral (side or prevertebral), and posterior (back).
Anterior Neck Muscles
The anterior neck muscles are arranged into four distinct regions: superficial, suprahyoid, infrahyoid, and scalene muscles. The superficial muscles are some of the largest muscles in the neck. The suprahyoid muscles move the hyoid bone (a bone at the top of the neck, just below the jawline) when you swallow and speak. The infrahyoid muscles are four muscles below the hyoid bone that move the larynx (voice box) up and down. The scalene muscles move the first two ribs up and down to allow air into the lungs during breathing. They also help move the head and stabilise the bones in the neck (cervical spine).
Lateral Neck Muscles
The lateral neck muscles, also called the lateral vertebral muscles, control head movements from the base of the skull. They help twist the head from side to side and twist and tilt the cervical spine. The lateral group includes the anterior, middle, and posterior scalene muscles, which extend between the transverse processes of the cervical vertebrae and the upper two ribs. The anterior scalene muscle 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 and the superior border of the first rib. The middle scalene is the largest of the scalene muscles, arising from the transverse processes of axis (C2) and atlas (C1) and the posterior tubercles of transverse processes of the vertebrae C3-C7.
Posterior Neck Muscles
The posterior neck muscles are located on the back of the neck and connect the skull to the vertebral column and pectoral girdle. They can be subdivided into three groups: superficial, deep, and deepest. The superficial muscles are strap-like muscles in the back of the neck that help extend and rotate the head. The deep layer is composed of the transversospinales muscles of the cervical region: semispinalis capitis, semispinalis cervicis, and multifidus cervicis. The deepest layer consists of the suboccipital muscles, which help extend the head in different directions, and the interspinales cervicis and intertransversarii colli, which primarily stabilise the neck.
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The cervical spine and vertebrae
The cervical spine, or neck, is a complex structure of bones, muscles, nerves, blood vessels, lymphatics, and connective tissues. It is the bony part of the neck, consisting of the first seven vertebrae in the spine (C1-C7), stacked on top of each other. These cervical vertebrae are connected by facet joints, which allow for the forward, backward and twisting motions of the neck. The primary function of the cervical spine is to support the skull, which weighs around 10 to 13 pounds, while allowing for a wide range of head motions.
The first vertebra, C1, also called the atlas, is a ring-shaped bone that begins at the base of the skull. It is named after Atlas of Greek mythology, who held the world on his shoulders. The atlas forms a joint with the occipital condyles of the skull bone, known as the occipital-atlanto (OA) joint, which connects the skull to the neck and bears the weight of the skull. The atlas also forms a joint with the axis (C2), the second vertebra, which acts as a pivot point, allowing for greater rotation of the head. The atlas and axis together form the craniocervical junction (CCJ).
The cervical spine is surrounded by muscles, nerves, tendons and ligaments. The cervical spinal nerves emerge from above the cervical vertebrae, with the cervical spinal nerve 3 (C3) passing above C3. The cervical vertebrae C3 to C7 are referred to as the subaxial spine. The cervical spine also contains "shock-absorbing" intervertebral discs between each vertebra, which provide flexibility and allow for a greater range of motion. Small holes in the cervical vertebrae C1 to C6 provide a protective pathway for vertebral arteries to carry blood to the brain.
The cervical spine is susceptible to injuries, which can sometimes have significant consequences for the body's functionality and, in rare cases, can be fatal. Common patterns of injury include the odontoid fracture and the hangman's fracture. Degenerative changes in the cervical spine can arise from conditions such as spondylosis, stenosis of intervertebral discs, and the formation of osteophytes.
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The role of the occipital bone
The occipital bone is a flat, unpaired bone that forms a major part of the posterior wall and base of the skull. It is located at the lower back of the head and connects to the spine and five other bones in the cranium. The occipital bone is a complex structure that serves to protect the cerebellum and occipital lobes of the cerebrum. It also provides attachment to several muscles and ligaments.
The occipital bone has many important functions, but its most important role is protecting the brain. It acts as the connecting pathway from the brain to the spine. The occipital bone connects with the first vertebra (atlas) to form the atlanto-occipital joint, which helps us nod and shake our heads. The occipital bone is the only cranial bone to connect to the cervical spine.
The occipital bone receives its blood supply from the occipital artery, and the blood drains via the occipital vein. The occipital artery originates from the external carotid artery and travels superiorly and posteriorly, passing superficially to the internal carotid artery and the vagus nerve. It then anastomoses with the deep cervical artery as it courses just beneath the mastoid process of the temporal bone.
Several muscles attach to the inferior part of the occipital bone. The most medial and superficial of these is the trapezius, with its multiple origins, one of which is the external occipital protuberance. Just deep and on either side of the vertebrae are the left and right semispinalis capitis muscles, which serve to extend and flex the cervical and thoracic spine and head laterally. Deeper still are the left and right rectus capitis posterior minor muscles, which help extend the head. Lateral to these muscles are the rectus capitis major muscles, which help with ipsilateral rotation and head extension.
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The importance of neck movement
The neck is a complex structure of bones, muscles, nerves, blood vessels, and connective tissues. It is the most flexible part of the spine, allowing for large movements and a wide range of motion. Proper neck movement is vital for survival, as most sensory inputs occur at the head.
The neck muscles support and stabilise the head, neck, and upper spine, enabling various movements. These muscles help with essential functions such as chewing, swallowing, and breathing. They also assist in making facial expressions and producing speech. The neck houses approximately 30 muscles, which can be categorised into anterior, lateral, and posterior groups, each with distinct functions.
The anterior neck muscles, or the superficial neck muscles, control movements of the mouth, lower face, and front of the neck. They enable you to angle your neck downward and rotate it. The suprahyoid muscles, a part of the anterior group, are responsible for moving the jaw and hyoid bone during swallowing or speaking. The infrahyoid muscles, also located in the anterior region, move the hyoid bone and larynx downward. Additionally, the scalenes, another important muscle group in the anterior neck, facilitate neck rotation and help pull your head back.
The lateral neck muscles play a crucial role in moving the head and contracting the neck. They include the splenius muscles, which originate at the midline and extend laterally and superiorly. These muscles can extend, laterally flex, and rotate the head. The posterior neck muscles, located at the back of the neck, help extend and rotate the head. This group includes the superficial muscles, which are strap-like muscles that facilitate head extension and rotation.
In summary, neck movement is essential for survival, enabling us to interact with our surroundings and perform vital functions such as breathing, swallowing, and chewing. The neck muscles work together to provide support, stability, and a wide range of motions to the head and neck region.
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Frequently asked questions
Neck muscles are a collection of structures that connect the head to the torso. There are about 20-30 neck muscles that support and stabilise the head, neck and the upper part of the spine. They help move the head in different directions and assist with chewing, swallowing and breathing.
The lateral neck muscles control head movements from the base of the skull. They help twist and tilt the cervical spine. The splenius muscles also help in rotating the head.
Anterior neck muscles help move the mouth, lower face and the front of the neck. They also help angle the neck downward and rotate the neck. Lateral neck muscles play a role in moving the head and contracting the neck. Posterior neck muscles help extend and rotate the head.
