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The human body is a fascinating and complex structure, with many muscles working in harmony to enable a wide range of movements. The muscles in the neck, for instance, are crucial for survival as they support the head and facilitate a range of motions, including chewing, swallowing, breathing, and rotating the head. The neck muscles also protect vital neurovascular structures and act as a conduit for the brain to communicate with the rest of the body. This article will focus on the muscles that move the head, including the major muscle groups in the neck and their functions, as well as some of the more minor muscles that contribute to head movement.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of muscles in the neck | 30 |
| Functions of neck muscles | Support the head, stabilize the bones in the neck, help with chewing, swallowing, breathing, and rotating the head |
| Types of neck muscles | Scalene, lateral, posterior (superficial, suboccipital, and transversospinalis), splenius capitis, splenius cervicis, trapezius, sternocleidomastoid, suprahyoid, infrahyoid, and more |
| Major muscle that laterally flexes and rotates the head | Sternocleidomastoid |
| Muscle that controls shoulder blade movements and assists in extending and tilting the head backward | Trapezius |
| Muscle that moves the scalp and eyebrows | Occipitofrontalis |
| Muscle that moves the lips | Orbicularis oris |
| Muscle that closes the eye | Orbicularis oculi |
| Muscle that moves the jaw | Masseters, temporalis, medial pterygoid, and lateral pterygoid |
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Neck muscles
The neck is a complex structure of bones, muscles, nerves, blood vessels, and connective tissues. The muscles in the neck help to stabilise and support the head, as well as allowing for a wide range of movements. There are about 30 muscles in the neck, which can be divided into three layers. These muscles help with everything from chewing and swallowing to moving the head and breathing.
The deepest layer of neck muscles includes the suboccipital muscles, which are located just below the occipital bone at the base of the skull. These muscles are crucial for fine motor control, aiding in minor adjustments of head position and proprioception, the sense of self-movement and body position. The splenius muscles also originate near the occipital bone and run laterally and superiorly, inserting into the head and cervical regions. These muscles can extend, laterally flex, and rotate the head.
The middle layer of neck muscles includes the trapezius, which controls shoulder blade movements and assists in extending and tilting the head backward. The bilateral sternocleidomastoid (SCM) is a major head flexor, originating at the sternum and clavicle and attaching to the mastoid process of the temporal bone. When contracted bilaterally, it bends the head forward, while unilateral contraction causes lateral flexion or head rotation to the opposite side.
The superficial layer of neck muscles includes the splenius capitis and splenius cervicis, which help with head extension and lateral flexion. The scalene muscles are also found in the neck and help to move the head, as well as stabilising the cervical spine and moving the first two ribs to facilitate breathing.
It is important to keep neck muscles strong and healthy to enable the wide range of movements they facilitate.
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Sternocleidomastoid
The sternocleidomastoid is a major muscle that laterally flexes and rotates the head. It is a bilateral muscle, with two bellies that originate at the sternum and clavicle and attach to the mastoid process of the temporal bone. When the muscle contracts bilaterally, it bends the head forward, while unilateral contraction causes lateral flexion on the same side or head rotation to the opposite side.
The sternocleidomastoid is a superficially palpable muscle, meaning it can be felt through the skin. It is an important anatomical landmark within the neck region, dividing it into anterior and posterior cervical triangles. This division helps define the location of structures such as the lymph nodes for the head and neck. The muscle is innervated by the accessory nerve of the same side, which supplies motor fibres to facilitate movement.
The sternocleidomastoid also plays a role in protecting the vital structures of the neck. It shields the vertical neurovascular bundle, branches of the cervical plexus, deep cervical lymph nodes, and soft tissues of the neck from damage. This muscle is associated with the common carotid artery, accessory nerve, and brachial plexus.
Contraction of the sternocleidomastoid can lead to a condition called torticollis or wry neck, causing the appearance of a tilted head. This may be due to various causes, including rheumatic, reflex, or congenital factors. Treatment involves physiotherapy exercises to stretch the affected muscle and strengthen the muscle on the opposite side of the neck.
The sternocleidomastoid is a unique muscle in terms of its origin variations. It demonstrates a variable innervation arrangement, with the "classical anastomotic pattern" observed in approximately half of the cases. These anatomical details are crucial in planning pedicle muscle flaps for reconstructive surgeries.
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Splenius capitis
The splenius capitis is a deep, intrinsic muscle of the neck. It is a thick, flat muscle at the posterior aspect of the neck, arising from the midline and extending superolaterally to the cervical vertebrae. The splenius capitis is one of the muscles responsible for moving the head.
The splenius capitis originates from the nuchal ligament and the C7 to T3 spinous processes. The muscle fibres run superiorly and laterally, inserting into the mastoid process of the temporal bone. The mastoid process is a pyramidal-shaped eminence on the base of the skull. The splenius capitis also inserts in part onto the external surface of the occipital bone, below the lateral section of the superior nuchal line.
The splenius capitis is a prime mover for head extension. When contracted bilaterally, it aids in the extension of the head and cervical spine. When contracted unilaterally, it assists in the lateral flexion and rotation of the head and neck to the same side. This unilateral contraction also results in synergy with the contralateral sternocleidomastoid muscle, acting as a "shaker of the head".
The splenius capitis overlies the semispinalis capitis and longissimus capitis and is located underneath the trapezius muscle. The superior part of the splenius capitis is covered by the sternocleidomastoid muscle and forms part of the floor of the posterior triangle of the neck. The splenius capitis is innervated by the posterior ramus of spinal nerves C3 and C4.
The most common cause of muscle tension headaches is inflammatory changes at the site of muscular attachment on the occipital ridge. This often occurs at the attachment of the splenius capitis muscle, causing splenius capitis muscle syndrome. This syndrome is very painful and commonly occurs due to postural issues, such as prolonged periods of keeping the head in a downward, rotated and forward position.
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Suboccipital muscles
The suboccipital muscles are a group of four muscles located in the posterior region of the neck, just beneath the occipital bone at the base of the skull. These muscles are crucial for fine motor control, aiding in minor adjustments of head position and proprioception—the sense of self-movement and body position. They are responsible for extending and rotating the head.
The four suboccipital muscles are:
- Rectus capitis posterior major: This is the larger of the rectus capitis muscles and is located laterally to the rectus capitis posterior minor. It originates from the spinous process of the C2 vertebrae and inserts into the lateral part of the inferior nuchal line of the occipital bone.
- Rectus capitis posterior minor: This is the most medial of the suboccipital muscles and has a connective tissue bridge to the dura mater (outer membrane of the meninges). It originates from the posterior tubercle of the C1 vertebra and attaches to the medial part of the inferior nuchal line of the occipital bone.
- Obliquus capitis superior: This muscle originates from the transverse process of the C1 vertebra and attaches to the occipital bone between the superior and inferior nuchal lines.
- Obliquus capitis inferior: This is the most inferiorly positioned of the suboccipital muscles and the only one that doesn't attach to the cranium. It inserts into the transverse process of the C1 vertebra on the inferoposterior part. Its origin is at the posterior tubercle of the C2 vertebra.
The suboccipital muscles are innervated by the suboccipital nerve, which is formed by the dorsal ramus of C1. They are supplied by the vertebral artery and the deep descending branches of the occipital artery. These muscles are important clinically due to their proximity to the vertebral artery and their role in providing surgical access to the posterior cranial fossa.
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Oral muscles
The oral muscles are a group of facial muscles that are responsible for the movements of the mouth and lips. They are required for singing and
The oral muscles can be divided into two groups: the upper and lower oral muscles. The upper oral muscles include the risorius, zygomaticus major, zygomaticus minor, levator labii superioris, levator labii superioris alaeque nasi, and levator anguli oris. The risorius muscle is located immediately lateral to the mouth opening and is responsible for pulling the angle of the mouth to the lateral side. The zygomaticus major muscle extends between the zygomatic bone and the corner of the mouth and is involved in creating a smile. The zygomaticus minor muscle lies medially to the zygomaticus major and belongs to the lip elevators. The levator labii superioris is a short, triangular muscle that originates from the zygomatic process of the maxilla and the maxillary process of the zygomatic bone. It attaches to the skin and submucosa of the upper lip, blending with other facial muscles. The levator labii superioris alaeque nasi is a relatively long muscle found around the oral and nose openings. The lower oral muscles include the depressor anguli oris, depressor labii inferioris, and mentalis. The depressor anguli oris is responsible for pulling the angle of the mouth downward, creating a frown. The depressor labii inferioris is a muscle of the chin that pulls the lower lip downward and forward. The mentalis muscle is also located in the chin area and produces small dimples in the chin.
The buccinator and orbicularis oris muscles are also part of the oral group of facial muscles. The buccinator muscle forms the anterior part of the cheek and helps in whistling and playing wind instruments by compressing the cheek against the molar teeth and preventing them from being bitten during mastication. It also contributes to keeping the bolus of food central in the oral cavity, preventing it from escaping into the oral vestibule. The orbicularis oris is a circular muscle that surrounds the oral opening and is responsible for closing the mouth and lips.
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Frequently asked questions
The neck muscles are responsible for moving the head. There are about 30 muscles in the neck that help stabilise and support the head and upper back.
The neck muscles work together to facilitate a wide range of head movements, including rotation, flexion, extension, and lateral bending. The neck muscles also help with chewing, swallowing, and breathing.
The sternocleidomastoid (SCM) is a major head flexor. When contracted bilaterally, it bends the head forward. When contracted unilaterally, it facilitates lateral flexion on the same side or head rotation to the opposite side. The splenius capitis is another neck muscle that aids head extension when contracted bilaterally and assists with unilateral lateral flexion and rotation.
The neck muscles support the head and connect it to the torso. They also help protect the spinal cord and other neurovascular structures necessary for sustaining life.
