Dominic Stone
The longus colli muscle is a prevertebral muscle of the neck that is innervated by the anterior rami of C2-C6 from the cervical plexus. It is located on the anterior surface of the vertebral column, between the atlas and the third thoracic vertebra. The muscle is broad in the middle and narrow and pointed at either end. It consists of three portions: superior oblique, inferior oblique, and vertical. The inferior oblique portion is the smallest section of the muscle. The longus colli muscle is believed to play an important role in pain originating in the neck region, including whiplash injuries.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Location | On the anterior surface of the vertebral column, between the atlas and the third thoracic vertebra |
| Shape | Long, flat, broad in the middle, narrow and pointed at either end |
| Number of parts | 3 |
| Parts | Superior oblique, inferior oblique, and vertical |
| Innervation | Anterior rami of the second to sixth cervical spinal nerves (C2-C6) |
| Blood supply | Muscular branches of the ascending cervical artery and the inferior thyroid artery |
| Function | Flexor of the neck, stabilizer of the cervical vertebrae |
| Pain patterns | Primarily local, with referral to the ipsilateral ear and lateral to the ipsilateral eye |
| Related conditions | Whiplash, cervicogenic headache, calcific tendinitis |
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What You'll Learn
The longus colli muscle is a neck flexor
The longus colli muscle, meaning ''long muscle of the neck'' in Latin, is a neck flexor. It is situated on the anterior surface of the vertebral column, between the atlas (C1, the first cervical vertebra) and the third thoracic vertebra (T3). It is a long, paired muscle with a broad middle and narrow, pointed ends. It is also known as longus cervicis as it spans the entire cervical spine and the first three thoracic vertebrae.
The longus colli muscle consists of three parts: the superior oblique, the inferior oblique, and the vertical. The superior oblique portion is attached to the anterior tubercles of the transverse processes of the third to fifth cervical vertebrae (C3-C5). It ascends in a superomedial direction, terminating on the anterior tubercle of the anterior arch of the atlas (C1). The inferior oblique portion is the smallest part of the muscle. It arises from the front of the bodies of the first two or three thoracic vertebrae (T1-T3) and is inserted into the anterior tubercles of the transverse processes of the fifth and sixth cervical vertebrae (C5-C6). The vertical intermediate part arises from the anterior surfaces of bodies of the lower three cervical and superior three thoracic vertebrae (C5-T3). This section is inserted onto the anterior surface of bodies of the second to fourth cervical vertebrae (C2-C4).
The longus colli muscle is innervated by the anterior rami of the second to sixth cervical spinal nerves (C2-C6). Bilateral contraction of the muscle causes flexion of the neck (forward movement). Unilateral contraction, especially of the inferior oblique part, results in weak lateral flexion and contralateral rotation of the neck. These actions help to stabilise the vertebral column, aligning the head and neck for upright posture.
The longus colli muscle is prone to developing tendinitis, which can cause progressive anterior neck pain, stiffness, dysphagia, and odynophagia. This condition must be distinguished from retropharyngeal abscess and other serious conditions. Treatment involves the use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.
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It is a prevertebral muscle
The longus colli muscle is a prevertebral muscle, located deep to the prevertebral fascia, which is a layer of the deep cervical fascia of the neck. The muscle sits in the groove formed by the junction of the transverse process with the vertebral body, posterior to the retropharyngeal space. The prevertebral fascia invests in the carotid sheath along with the pretracheal and investing fascia.
The longus colli muscle is situated on the anterior surface of the vertebral column, between the atlas and the third thoracic vertebra. It is broad in the middle, narrow and pointed at either end, and consists of three portions: superior oblique, inferior oblique, and vertical. The superior oblique portion arises from the anterior tubercles of the transverse processes of the third, fourth, and fifth cervical vertebrae. With a medial inclination, it is inserted by a narrow tendon into the tubercle on the anterior arch of the atlas. The inferior oblique portion, the smallest part of the muscle, arises from the front of the bodies of the first two or three thoracic vertebrae. Ascending obliquely in a lateral direction, it is inserted into the anterior tubercles of the transverse processes of the fifth and sixth cervical vertebrae.
The muscle is innervated by the anterior rami of the second to sixth cervical spinal nerves (C2-C6). Bilateral contraction of the muscle causes flexion of the neck (forward movement). Unilateral contraction, especially of the inferior oblique part, also results in weak lateral flexion and contralateral rotation of the neck. These actions help stabilize the vertebral column, aligning the head and neck for upright posture.
The longus colli muscle is one of four prevertebral muscles of the head and neck, along with the rectus capitis anterior, rectus capitis lateralis, and longus capitis. These muscles are located anterior to the cervical column and primarily function in motions of the head and neck at the craniocervical junction.
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It is innervated by the anterior rami of the second to sixth cervical spinal nerves
The longus colli muscle is a prevertebral muscle of the neck. It is situated on the anterior surface of the vertebral column, between the atlas and the third thoracic vertebra. The muscle is broad in the middle and narrow and pointed at either end. The longus colli muscle is innervated by the anterior rami of the second to sixth cervical spinal nerves (C2-C6). These nerves arise from the cervical plexus, which is located medially to the longus colli muscle.
The longus colli muscle has three distinct parts: the superior oblique portion, the inferior oblique portion, and the vertical intermediate part. The superior oblique portion originates from the anterior tubercles of the transverse processes of the third, fourth, and fifth cervical vertebrae (C3-C5). It ascends obliquely with a medial inclination and inserts into the tubercle on the anterior arch of the atlas. The inferior oblique portion is the smallest part of the muscle. It arises from the anterior surfaces of the bodies of the first two or three thoracic vertebrae (T1-T3) and ascends obliquely in a lateral direction, terminating on the anterior tubercles of the transverse processes of the fifth and sixth cervical vertebrae (C5-C6). The vertical intermediate part arises from the anterior surfaces of the bodies of the lower three cervical and superior three thoracic vertebrae (C5-T3) and inserts onto the anterior surface of the bodies of the second, third, and fourth cervical vertebrae (C2-C4).
The innervation of the longus colli muscle by the anterior rami of the second to sixth cervical spinal nerves allows for important functions of the muscle. Bilateral contraction of the longus colli muscle causes flexion of the neck, or forward movement. Unilateral contraction, particularly of the inferior oblique part, results in weak lateral flexion and contralateral rotation of the neck. These movements have stabilizing functions for the vertebral column, helping to align the head and neck for upright posture.
The longus colli muscle receives its blood supply from the ascending cervical artery, a branch of the inferior thyroid artery, and the muscular branches of the inferior thyroid artery. It is bordered medially by the cervical plexus, brachial plexus, and subclavian artery, and laterally by the scalenus anterior muscle. The thoracic duct, cervical sympathetic trunk, and first part of the vertebral artery (V1) pass between the longus colli and scalenus anterior muscles.
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It has three parts: superior oblique, inferior oblique, and vertical
The longus coli muscle is a paired muscle located along the anterior aspect of the cervical vertebral bodies. It has three parts: the superior oblique, inferior oblique, and vertical.
The superior oblique portion of the longus colli muscle originates from the anterior tubercles of the transverse processes of the C3 to C5 vertebrae. The fibres of the superior oblique insert into the tubercle of the anterior arch of the atlas.
The inferior oblique portion is the smallest section of the longus colli muscle. It originates from the vertebral bodies of T1 to T3, passing superiorly and laterally to insert onto the anterior tubercles of the transverse processes of C5 and C6. This portion also rotates the neck to the opposite side.
The vertical portion of the longus colli muscle begins and ends on vertebral bodies. Specifically, it attaches inferiorly to the anterior aspect of the vertebral bodies of C5 to T3 and ascends to end on the vertebral bodies of C2 to C4. The fibres of the vertical portion travel directly upwards to insert onto the anterior surfaces of the vertebral bodies of C2 to C4. The origins of the vertical and inferior parts of the longus colli represent the deepest structures of the superior mediastinum.
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It is situated on the anterior surface of the vertebral column
The longus colli muscle is a long muscle of the neck situated on the anterior surface of the vertebral column. It is a prevertebral muscle of the neck that is innervated by the anterior rami of C2-C6 from the cervical plexus. The muscle is broad in the middle and narrow and pointed at either end. It consists of three portions: superior oblique, inferior oblique, and vertical.
The superior oblique portion arises from the anterior tubercles of the transverse processes of the third, fourth, and fifth cervical vertebrae. It then ascends obliquely with a medial inclination and is inserted by a narrow tendon into the tubercle on the anterior arch of the atlas. The inferior oblique portion is the smallest part of the muscle. It arises from the front of the bodies of the first two or three thoracic vertebrae and ascends obliquely in a lateral direction. It is inserted into the anterior tubercles of the transverse processes of the fifth and sixth cervical vertebrae. The vertical or intermediate part arises from the anterior surfaces of the vertebral bodies of the C5-T3 vertebrae.
The longus colli muscle is a weak flexor of the cervical spine. Bilateral contraction of the muscle causes flexion of the neck (forward movement). Unilateral contraction, especially of the inferior oblique part, also results in weak lateral flexion and contralateral rotation of the neck. These actions help stabilize the vertebral column, aligning the head and neck for upright posture.
The longus colli muscle receives its blood supply from muscular branches of the ascending cervical artery and the inferior thyroid artery. It is believed to play an important role in pain originating in the neck region, including pain resulting from whiplash injuries.
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Frequently asked questions
The longus coli muscle is a prevertebral muscle of the neck. It is situated on the anterior surface of the vertebral column, between the atlas and the third thoracic vertebra.
The longus coli muscle is a neck flexor and a stabiliser of the cervical vertebrae. It is innervated by the anterior rami of the second to sixth cervical spinal nerves (C2-C6).
The longus coli muscle is believed to play an important role in pain resulting from whiplash injuries. It may also cause some whiplash patients to have an unnatural lack of curvature in the neck.
