Logan Steele
The neck is a complex structure of bones, muscles, nerves, blood vessels, and connective tissues. The neck muscles support the head and enable it to move in different directions. There are about 30 neck muscles, which can be categorised into anterior, lateral, and posterior muscles. The anterior vertebral muscles, a deep group of muscles located just in front of the cervical vertebral column, include the rectus capitis anterior, rectus capitis lateralis, longus capitis, and longus colli. The longus colli and the three scalene muscles (anterior, middle, and posterior) are responsible for flexing the neck. The sternocleidomastoid, a large, two-headed neck muscle, also plays a role in neck flexion. Neck muscles are also important in chewing, swallowing, and breathing.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of neck muscles | 30 |
| Location | Front, sides, and back of the neck |
| 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 muscles | Superficial, suprahyoid, infrahyoid, and scalene muscles |
| Superficial muscles | Platysma, sternocleidomastoid |
| Suprahyoids | Digastric, mylohyoid, geniohyoid, stylohyoid |
| Infrahyoids | Sternohyoid, sternothyroid, thyrohyoid, omohyoid |
| Scalene muscles | Anterior, middle, and posterior |
| Lateral neck muscles | Anterior, middle, and posterior scalene muscles |
| Posterior neck muscles | Suboccipital muscles: rectus capitis posterior major, rectus capitis posterior minor, obliquus capitis superior, and obliquus capitis inferior |
| Deep neck flexors | Longus colli, longus capitis, rectus capitis |
| Craniocervical flexion exercise | Chin retraction exercise |
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What You'll Learn
The sternocleidomastoid muscle
The sternocleidomastoid (SCM) muscle is a powerful neck muscle that allows you to bend your neck and turn or tilt your head. It is the largest muscle in the front of your neck and is located just beneath your skin. The SCM muscle is one of over 20 pairs of muscles acting on the neck.
The SCM muscle extends from the mastoid process at the base of the skull to the collarbones (clavicles) and breastbone (sternum). The clavicular head originates from the medial third of the clavicle, while its sternal head arises from the manubrium of the sternum. The heads come together and ascend diagonally to insert onto the mastoid process of the temporal bone.
The SCM muscle helps you turn your head left or right, tilt your head toward either shoulder, and bend your head backward or forward. It also helps to stabilize your neck and maintain your posture. The SCM works with other neck muscles to lift your breastbone and collarbone when you inhale, creating space for your lungs to take in air.
The SCM muscle is susceptible to strain and injury, which can lead to pain and stiffness. Treatments for SCM 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.
The organizational pattern of the SCM can be arranged into five distinct topographical parts: the superficial sternomastoid, profound sternomastoid, sterno occipital, cleidomastoid, and cleidooccipital. These parts are arranged in superficial and deep layers, with muscle fibers lying within a common fascial sheath and traversing in the same direction.
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The longus colli muscle
The tendons of the longus colli muscle are prone to developing tendinitis, which can result in severe and constant neck pain, stiffness, dysphagia, and odynophagia. This condition can be identified through CT or MRI scans, which reveal calcification in the muscle and retropharyngeal oedema. Treatment typically involves the use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.
The main function of the longus colli muscle is to flex the neck. The inferior part of the muscle can also produce a weak ipsilateral flexion and contralateral rotation of the neck. Additionally, it has been suggested that the longus colli muscle may play a role in maintaining cervical curvature, counteracting the lordosis increment associated with the weight of the head and the contraction of the posterior cervical muscles.
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The rectus capitis muscle
The neck is a complex structure of bones, muscles, nerves, blood vessels, lymphatics, and other connective tissues. It is made up of about 30 muscles that support and stabilise the head, neck, and the upper part of the spine. These muscles also help in performing a variety of movements, such as chewing, swallowing, and breathing.
The rectus capitis is a short strap muscle that arises from the anterior surface of the lateral mass of the atlas (C1 vertebra) and inserts on the basilar part of the occipital bone, anterior to the foramen magnum. The innervation of this muscle comes from the anterior rami of spinal nerves C1 and C2, while its blood supply is provided by branches of the vertebral and ascending pharyngeal arteries.
The rectus capitis anterior aids in flexion of the head and neck. The muscle is situated immediately behind the upper part of the longus capitis. It arises from the anterior surface of the lateral mass of the atlas, and from the root of its transverse process, and is inserted into the inferior surface of the basilar part of the occipital bone immediately in front of the foramen magnum.
The rectus capitis posterior major, also known as the rectus capitis posticus major, is a muscle in the upper back part of the neck. It is one of the suboccipital muscles and acts to extend the head and rotate it to its side. This muscle extends obliquely superiolaterally from its inferior attachment to its superior attachment. Its inferior attachment is at the spinous process of the axis (second cervical vertebra), and its superior attachment is onto the outer surface of the occipital bone on and around the side part of the inferior nuchal line.
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The scalene muscles
The anterior scalene arises from the anterior tubercles of the transverse processes of the third to sixth cervical vertebrae and inserts on the scalene tubercle of the superior surface of the first rib. It is the most anterior of the scalene muscles, and it serves as a key landmark for identifying the subclavian artery, the brachial plexus, and the phrenic nerve, which courses along its anterior surface.
The middle scalene is the largest and longest of the three scalene muscles. It arises from the posterior tubercles of the transverse processes of the lower six cervical vertebrae and inserts by a broad attachment into the upper surface of the first rib. The brachial plexus and the subclavian artery pass anterior to it.
The posterior scalene is the smallest and most deeply seated of the scalene muscles. It arises from the posterior tubercles of the transverse processes of the fourth to sixth cervical vertebrae and is inserted by a thin tendon into the outer surface of the second rib.
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The suboccipital muscles
The suboccipital triangle is an anatomical landmark formed by three of the four suboccipital muscles: the rectus capitis posterior major, obliquus capitis inferior, and obliquus capitis superior. This triangle helps localize the vertebral artery and the suboccipital nerve. The vertebral artery takes a tortuous path behind the suboccipital muscles, supplying these muscles with branches. The suboccipital venous plexus, which surrounds and drains the suboccipital muscles, is located posterior to them.
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Frequently asked questions
The deep neck flexors, or prevertebral cervical muscles, are a group of small but important muscles that act as the neck's core. They are the main antagonists of the cervical spine extensors and play a crucial role in connecting and stabilising the cervical column and the skull.
The anterior neck muscles are one of the three main categories of neck muscles, along with lateral and posterior muscles. They are further divided into four distinct regions: superficial, suprahyoid, infrahyoid, and scalene muscles.
The sternocleidomastoid muscle is responsible for lateral flexion of the neck to the same side when it unilaterally contracts. When the anterior scalene unilaterally contracts, it also causes lateral flexion of the neck to the same side.
