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The neck is a complex structure of bones, muscles, nerves, blood vessels, and other connective tissues. There are about 30 neck muscles, which support and stabilize the head, neck, and upper spine, while also facilitating movement. These muscles are divided into three main categories: anterior (front), lateral (side), and posterior (back). The cervical spine, which is the bony part of the neck, is responsible for maintaining the skull in a position that allows the eyes to be parallel to the ground. This is crucial for balance and survival. The neck muscles work with tendons and ligaments to support and move the neck and head. They also assist with chewing, swallowing, and breathing. During locomotion, cervical muscles are active in stabilizing the head as the body accelerates and decelerates.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of neck muscles | 30 |
| Muscle categories | Anterior (front), lateral (side), and posterior (back) |
| Anterior subgroups | Superficial, suprahyoid, infrahyoid, and scalene muscles |
| Superficial muscles | Platysma and sternocleidomastoid |
| Suprahyoid muscles | Digastric, mylohyoid, geniohyoid, and stylohyoid |
| Infrahyoid muscles | Sternohyoid, omohyoid, sternothyroid, and thyrohyoid |
| Lateral neck muscles | Control head movements from the base of the skull |
| Posterior muscles | Responsible for extension of the neck |
| Cervical spine function | Stabilize and maintain the head in a position that allows our eyes to be parallel to the ground |
| SCM muscle function | Help in head rotation and tilting the chin |
| Trapezius muscle function | Extend the head upward and neck backward, rotating/turning the head, or lifting and/or depressing the shoulder blade |
| Levator scapulae muscle function | Help with lifting the shoulder blade, bending the neck to the side, and rotating the head |
| Scalene muscles | Help with neck flexion and side bending |
| Deep cervical flexors | Help flex the neck forward and stabilize the cervical spine |
| Erector spinae | Play a key role in supporting posture, rotating the neck, and extending the neck backward |
| Suboccipital muscles | Needed for head extension and rotation |
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What You'll Learn
The neck's musculoskeletal system
The neck is a complex musculoskeletal system that connects the head to the torso. It is made up of many bones, muscles, nerves, blood vessels, lymphatics, and other connective tissues. The neck muscles support the head and enable a wide range of movements, including chewing, swallowing, and breathing. There are about 30 neck muscles, which are divided into three main categories based on their position in the neck: anterior (front), lateral (side), and posterior (back).
The anterior neck muscles are further divided into four subgroups: superficial, suprahyoid, infrahyoid, and scalene muscles. The superficial muscles include the platysma and sternocleidomastoid. The platysma is a sheet-like muscle that lies within the subcutaneous tissue of the anterior neck and is involved in facial expressions. The sternocleidomastoid is a large, two-headed muscle that controls lateral flexion and rotation of the head. The suprahyoid muscles are involved in swallowing and speaking, while the infrahyoid muscles move the larynx up and down. The scalene muscles help with breathing by moving the first two ribs and also assist in head movements and stabilising the cervical spine.
The lateral neck muscles control head movements from the base of the skull, allowing the head to twist from side to side and the cervical spine to tilt. The posterior neck muscles are responsible for the extension of the neck. They include the superficial, suboccipital, and transversospinalis muscles. The superficial muscles help with head extension and rotation, the suboccipital muscles provide a greater range of motion in rotating the head laterally, and the transversospinalis muscles help move the head forward and backward, as well as tilting it from side to side.
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Whiplash injuries
Whiplash is a neck injury caused by the neck bending forcibly forward and then backward, or vice versa. It is often the result of a rear-end automobile collision or a sports injury, particularly during contact sports. The neck is a complex structure of bones, muscles, nerves, blood vessels, lymphatics, and other connective tissues. Whiplash occurs when the neck is subjected to sudden acceleration or deceleration, and the injury is not always well understood.
The neck muscles are primarily responsible for moving the head in all directions. They consist of three main groups: anterior, lateral, and posterior, based on their position in the neck. The posterior neck muscles are primarily responsible for head movements like extension, while the anterior neck muscles cover the front of the neck and are further divided into subgroups, including the superficial and suprahyoid muscles.
The sternocleidomastoid muscle, a large, two-headed muscle in the neck, is a major contributor to head and neck movements. When contracting unilaterally, it produces lateral flexion of the neck on the same side and lateral rotation of the head to the opposite side. Bilateral contraction of the sternocleidomastoid muscles results in flexion of the neck, drawing the head towards the chest.
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The cervical spine
The first cervical vertebra, C1, is also known as the atlas. It is a ring-shaped bone that forms the craniocervical junction with the second vertebra, C2, or the axis. This unique structure provides most of the rotation for the head and neck. The atlas and axis also contribute to neck flexion and extension, allowing the head to tilt forward and backward.
The neck muscles are responsible for moving the head in all directions. They can be grouped into three main groups based on their position in the neck: anterior, lateral, and posterior. The anterior neck muscles include the platysma and sternocleidomastoid, which is a large, two-headed muscle that contributes to neck flexion and lateral rotation of the head. The posterior neck muscles are primarily responsible for head extensions, while the lateral muscles include the trapezius, which helps with head rotation and lifting the shoulder blades.
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Anterior, lateral, and posterior muscles
The neck muscles are a complex musculoskeletal system that connects the base of the skull to the torso. There are about 30 neck muscles that support the head and neck and help with various movements, including chewing, swallowing, and breathing. The neck muscles can be categorised into three groups: anterior (front), lateral (side), and posterior (back).
Anterior Neck Muscles
The anterior neck muscles are located on the front aspect of the neck and can be further subdivided into five groups: superficial, scalene, suprahyoid, infrahyoid, and anterior vertebral (prevertebral) muscles. The superficial muscles are the most superficial group and include the platysma and sternocleidomastoid. The platysma lowers the mandible and tenses the skin of the lower neck and face. The sternocleidomastoid laterally flexes the neck and rotates the head. The scalene group is composed of three muscles: anterior, middle, and posterior scalene. They function to flex the neck, laterally flex and rotate the neck, and elevate the first two ribs if the neck is fixed. The suprahyoid and infrahyoid groups are named according to their position relative to the hyoid bone. The suprahyoid muscles are located superior to the hyoid bone and include the stylohyoid, mylohyoid, geniohyoid, and digastric. They function to elevate the hyoid bone or depress the mandible. The infrahyoid muscles are located inferior to the hyoid bone and include the sternohyoid, sternothyroid, thyrohyoid, and omohyoid. They function to depress the hyoid bone and move the larynx up and down.
Lateral Neck Muscles
The lateral neck muscles control head movements from the base of the skull.
Posterior Neck Muscles
The posterior neck muscles are located on the back aspect 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 layer includes the trapezius and the two splenius muscles (capitis and cervicis). The trapezius produces lateral flexion and rotation of the head and neck and also stabilizes and moves the scapula. The splenius muscles cause lateral flexion, ipsilateral rotation of the head and neck, and extension of the head and neck. The deep layer is composed of the transversospinales muscles of the cervical region: semispinalis capitis, semispinalis cervicis, and multifidus cervicis. They function in lateral flexion, contralateral rotation of the head and neck, and extension of the head and neck. The deepest layer consists of the suboccipital muscles, interspinales cervicis, and intertransversarii colli. The suboccipital muscles produce movements of the head, including extension, lateral flexion, and rotation, as well as maintaining posture. The interspinales cervicis and intertransversarii colli muscles assist with extension and lateral flexion of the neck.
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The role of the SCM muscle
The sternocleidomastoid SCM muscle is a powerful and long neck muscle that allows you to bend your neck and turn or tilt your head. It is a large, two-headed muscle that starts at the bottom of the neck, wraps around both sides, and ends at the base of the skull. The SCM muscle is an important landmark in the neck, dividing it into an anterior and a posterior triangle. It is closely related to certain neurovascular structures that pass through the neck on their way to the head or the periphery of the body.
The SCM muscle gets its name from its location and its parts. One part of the SCM muscle (the sternal head) begins at the breastbone (sternum) and travels up both sides of the neck. The other part (the clavicular head) begins in the centre of the collarbones (clavicles) and travels up both sides of the neck, merging with the sternal head at the mastoid process of the temporal bone. The SCM muscle is wider and thinner at its beginning and end, and narrow and thicker in the middle where the two heads merge.
The function of the SCM muscle depends on whether it acts alone or together with its counterpart. A unilateral contraction of the SCM muscle flexes the neck to the same side and rotates the head to the opposite side. Bilateral contraction of the SCM muscles produces flexion of the neck, drawing the head towards the chest. When the head and neck are fixed, the SCM can also elevate the sternum and clavicle, expanding the thoracic cavity during forced inspiration.
The SCM muscle is innervated by the accessory nerve (CN XI) and anterior rami of spinal nerves C2 and C3. Its blood supply is derived from branches of the occipital, posterior auricular, superior thyroid, and suprascapular arteries. The SCM muscle is susceptible to injuries and tension, which can lead to pain and stiffness. Treatments for SCM-related issues include stretching, physical therapy, and osteopathic manipulation. Maintaining good posture and managing stress can also help care for the SCM muscle.
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Frequently asked questions
The neck muscles support and move the head and neck, allowing for a wide range of movements. They also assist with chewing, swallowing, breathing, and speech.
There are about 30 neck muscles, divided into three main categories: anterior (front), lateral (side), and posterior (back).
The anterior neck muscles are active during forward acceleration, while the posterior neck muscles are active during forward braking. The cervical muscles are also important for stabilising the head as the body decelerates.
