Maximus Gage
The neck is a complex structure of bones, muscles, nerves, blood vessels, and connective tissues. There are about 30 neck muscles, which support and stabilise the head, neck, and upper spine. They help us move our head in different directions and assist with chewing, swallowing, and breathing. Neck muscles can be sub-categorised into anterior, lateral, and posterior muscles. The lateral muscles, also known as the lateral vertebral muscles, include the anterior, middle, and posterior scalene muscles, which extend between the cervical vertebrae and the upper two ribs. The anterior scalene causes flexion of the neck when contracted bilaterally. The middle scalene is the largest of the scalene muscles. The sternocleidomastoid is a large, two-headed muscle of the neck, which produces flexion of the neck when contracted bilaterally, and lateral flexion when contracted unilaterally. The rectus capitis anterior, a short strap muscle, flexes the head at the atlanto-occipital joint. The longus colli also has the main function of flexing the neck. The suboccipital muscles are needed for head extension and rotation.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of neck muscles | 30 |
| Location | Base of skull and jaw down to shoulder blades and collarbone |
| Function | Support and stabilise the head, neck and upper spine; enable head movement; assist with chewing, swallowing and breathing |
| Muscle categories | Anterior (front), lateral (side) and posterior (back) |
| Anterior muscle regions | Superficial, suprahyoid, infrahyoid and scalene |
| Lateral muscles | Anterior, middle and posterior scalene muscles |
| Anterior vertebral muscles | Rectus capitis anterior, rectus capitis lateralis, longus capitis and longus colli |
| Deep cervical flexors | Longus capitus and longus colli |
| Muscles enabling neck flexion | Sternocleidomastoid, longus colli, anterior scalene, middle scalene, suboccipitals, deep cervical flexors |
| Muscles enabling head flexion | Rectus capitis anterior |
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What You'll Learn
The Sternocleidomastoid muscle
The sternocleidomastoid (SCM) muscle is a large, two-headed muscle in the neck. It is a powerful muscle that allows you to bend your neck and turn or tilt your head. The SCM muscle is the largest muscle in the front of your neck and is located just below your skin.
The SCM muscle has a variety of functions. It helps to stabilize your neck, even when you are not moving. It also assists with breathing by working with other neck muscles to lift your breastbone and collarbone when you inhale. This movement creates space for your lungs to take in air. The SCM muscle also supports the temporomandibular joint (TMJ), which is the joint that connects your jaw to your skull and allows you to open and close your mouth.
The SCM muscle is innervated by the accessory nerve (CN XI) and anterior rami of spinal nerves C2 and C3. Its blood supply comes from the superior thyroid artery, a branch of the external carotid artery. The SCM muscle is susceptible to strain and injury due to its size and complexity. Injuries and tension in the SCM muscle can lead to pain and stiffness.
Treatments for SCM muscle issues include massage, osteopathic manipulation, physical therapy, and surgery in severe cases. It is important to manage stress and maintain good posture to care for the SCM muscle.
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Anterior Vertebral muscles
The neck is a complex structure of bones, muscles, nerves, blood vessels, lymphatics, and other connective tissues. The neck muscles can be categorised into anterior (front), lateral (side or prevertebral), and posterior (back) muscles.
The anterior vertebral muscles, also known as the prevertebral muscles, are a deep group of muscles located just in front of the cervical vertebral column. These include the rectus capitis anterior, rectus capitis lateralis, longus capitis, and longus colli. The rectus capitis anterior and rectus capitis lateralis muscles are short, flat muscles. The longus capitis is broad and thick above, and narrow below. The longus cervicis (or longus colli) is situated on the anterior surface of the vertebral column, between the atlas and the third thoracic vertebra. It is divisible into three portions: an inferior oblique, a superior oblique, and a vertical.
The principal function of the anterior vertebral muscles is flexion of the head to varying degrees. The rectus capitis anterior flexes the head at the atlanto-occipital joint, as well as stabilising this joint. The longus capitis also flexes the head. The rectus capitis lateralis bends the head laterally. The longus colli flexes the neck, with the inferior part of the muscle producing a weak ipsilateral flexion and contralateral rotation of the neck.
The anterior vertebral muscles are surrounded by the prevertebral fascia of the neck. The nerve supply to these muscles comes from the anterior rami of the spinal nerves, with the rectus capitis and longus capitis muscles supplied by the first, second, and third cervical nerves, and the longus colli supplied by the second to sixth cervical nerves. The blood supply to these muscles is provided by branches of the vertebral, ascending pharyngeal, inferior thyroid, and other arteries.
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Lateral neck muscles
The neck is a complex structure of bones, muscles, nerves, blood vessels, lymphatics, and other connective tissues. The neck muscles help us do everything from chewing and swallowing to moving our head in all directions. They also assist with breathing.
The neck muscles can be categorized into three main groups: anterior (front), lateral (side or prevertebral), and posterior (back). The lateral neck muscles, also called the lateral vertebral muscles, are a group of muscles that pass obliquely along the lateral sides of the neck. These include the anterior, middle, and posterior scalene muscles, which extend between the transverse processes of the cervical vertebrae and the upper two ribs. Due to their attachments, these muscles mainly produce ipsilateral flexion of the neck. Ipsilateral flexion of the neck is the movement of bending the head forward towards the chest.
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 anterior scalene muscle is innervated by the anterior rami of the spinal nerves C4-C6, and vascularized by the ascending cervical branch of the inferior thyroid artery. When the ribs are fixed and the muscle is acting from below, bilateral contraction of the anterior scalene causes flexion of the neck. In turn, unilateral contraction of the muscle causes lateral flexion of the neck to the same side.
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. The muscle then passes posterolaterally to insert onto the superior border of the first rib. The middle scalene muscle receives its nerve supply from the anterior rami of cervical spinal nerves C3-C8.
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Posterior neck muscles
The neck is a complex structure of bones, muscles, nerves, blood vessels, and connective tissues. The neck muscles can be divided into three categories: anterior (front), lateral (side), and posterior (back).
The posterior neck muscles are located on the posterior aspect of the neck and connect the skull to the vertebral column and pectoral girdle. They can be further subdivided into three groups: superficial, deep, and deepest.
The superficial layer is composed of the trapezius and the two splenius muscles (capitis and cervicis). The trapezius primarily functions to produce lateral flexion and contralateral rotation of the head if contracting unilaterally, or extension of the head if contracting bilaterally. It also stabilizes and moves the scapula in different directions, depending on which fibres contract. The splenius muscles cause lateral flexion and ipsilateral rotation of the head and neck when contracting unilaterally, or extension of the head and neck when contracting bilaterally.
The deep layer is composed of the transversospinales muscles of the cervical region: semispinalis capitis, semispinalis cervicis, and multifidus cervicis. The primary function of this group is lateral flexion and contralateral rotation of the head and neck when contracting unilaterally, and extension of the head and neck when contracting bilaterally.
The deepest layer consists of the suboccipital muscles (rectus capitis posterior major, rectus capitis posterior minor, obliquus capitis superior, and obliquus capitis inferior), interspinales cervicis, and intertransversarii colli. The primary function of the suboccipital muscles is to produce movements of the head (extension, lateral flexion, and rotation) as well as maintaining posture. The interspinales cervicis and intertransversarii colli muscles assist other muscles in extension and lateral flexion of the neck, respectively.
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Deep neck flexors
The neck is a complex structure of bones, muscles, nerves, blood vessels, and connective tissues. The muscles in the neck are skeletal muscles, meaning they are attached to bones by tendons. There are about 30 neck muscles, which can be categorised into anterior (front), lateral (side), and posterior (back) muscles.
Deep cervical flexors play a crucial role in providing stability to the cervical spine and supporting optimal posture. They work synergistically with other neck muscles to maintain proper alignment, prevent excessive strain on the spinal structures, and distribute loads effectively. Weakness or dysfunction of the deep cervical flexors can contribute to poor posture, altered movement patterns, and increased susceptibility to neck pain and injury.
Deep neck flexor training can help reduce headaches and alleviate neck pain. Targeted strengthening of the deep cervical flexors can restore muscle balance, improve joint function, and reduce compression on spinal structures. Exercises such as chin tucks, supine neck flexion, isometric neck flexion, and theraband resistance exercises can help strengthen the deep cervical flexors.
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Frequently asked questions
The three main categories of neck muscles are anterior (front), lateral (side) and posterior (back).
Some examples of anterior neck muscles include the rectus capitis anterior, longus capitis, and sternocleidomastoid.
The lateral neck muscles, also known as the lateral vertebral muscles, pass obliquely along the lateral sides of the neck. They help with neck flexion and side bending.
