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The neck is a complex structure of bones, muscles, nerves, blood vessels, and connective tissues. The cervical spine, the bony part of the neck, supports the skull and allows for a wide range of movements. The neck muscles support the head and enable various motions, including forward and backward bending, side bending, and rotation. These movements are facilitated by several muscle groups, such as the spinal, anterior, posterior, suboccipital, and superficial muscles. The trapezius, for instance, helps with head rotation and scapula movement. The splenius muscles, including the splenius capitis and splenius cervicis, are also involved in head extension and lateral flexion. Additionally, the infrahyoid and suprahyoid muscles play a role in swallowing, speaking, and moving the larynx. Understanding the muscles of the neck and their functions is crucial for maintaining proper posture, preventing injuries, and ensuring overall functionality.
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What You'll Learn
The role of the cervical spine
The cervical spine, also known as the neck, is a complex structure of bones, muscles, nerves, blood vessels, lymphatics, and other connective tissues. It consists of seven cervical vertebrae, from C1 to C7, which are stacked bones that form a protective central canal for the spinal cord. The first two vertebrae, C1 (atlas) and C2 (axis), are considered “atypical” due to their unique shapes and functions in supporting and moving the skull.
The cervical spine has several critical functions. Firstly, it provides structural support for the weight of the head, which typically ranges from 10 to 13 pounds. This support is essential for maintaining the head in a position that allows our eyes to be parallel to the ground, a crucial aspect of vestibular function and balance.
Secondly, the cervical spine facilitates a wide range of head and neck motions. It can undergo flexion (forward bending), extension (backward straightening), rotation (turning to the side), and lateral flexion (bending to the side). These movements are enabled by the unique structure of the cervical vertebrae and the surrounding muscles. The cervical spine is the most flexible part of the spine, allowing for large movements to scan our surroundings and interact with the environment.
Additionally, the cervical spine plays a vital role in protecting the spinal cord and vertebral arteries. The spinal cord runs through the centre of the cervical spine, and small holes in the vertebrae, called foramina, provide a protective pathway for the vertebral arteries to carry blood to the brain. This region is particularly complex due to the presence of critical nerves, blood vessels, and joints in close proximity.
Lastly, the cervical spine serves as a conduit for the brain to communicate with the rest of the body. It acts as a passageway for motor and sensory information and nutrients to travel between the body and the head. Given the importance of this role, any interruption in proper neck function can lead to critical and sometimes fatal consequences.
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Neck muscle groups
The neck is a complex structure of bones, muscles, nerves, blood vessels, and connective tissues. The cervical spine, or neck region of the spine, supports the weight of the head and allows a wide range of head movements. The neck muscles support the head and enable it to move in multiple directions. They also assist with chewing, swallowing, and breathing.
Neck muscles can be divided into three main groups based on their position in the neck: anterior (front), lateral (side), and posterior (back). These groups can be further divided based on depth, location, and function. For example, the muscles in the posterior neck are responsible for extending the neck, while the lateral neck muscles control head movements from the base of the skull.
The anterior neck muscles can be divided into four regions: superficial, suprahyoid, infrahyoid, and scalene muscles. The superficial muscles are some of the largest in the neck. The suprahyoid muscles move the hyoid bone (a small bone at the top of the neck, just below the jawline) when swallowing and speaking. The infrahyoid muscles consist of four muscles that move the larynx (voice box) up and down. The scalene muscles move the first two ribs during breathing and help stabilise the bones in the neck (cervical spine).
The posterior neck muscles include the superficial, suboccipital, and transversospinalis muscles. The superficial muscles are strap-like muscles at the back of the neck that help extend and rotate the head. The suboccipitals are a group of four tiny muscles that connect the bottom of the skull to the first and second vertebrae of the neck, helping to move the head forward, backward, and rotate side to side. The transversospinalis muscles help move the head forward and backward, tilt it from side to side, and stabilise the spine.
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Anterior neck muscles
The neck muscles are skeletal muscles, attached to bones by tendons. They are voluntary muscles, meaning we control how they move and work. There are about 30 muscles in the neck, which can be divided into three main groups: anterior, lateral, and posterior.
The anterior neck muscles are a group of muscles located at the front of the neck. They are further divided into four or five subgroups: superficial, scalene, suprahyoid, infrahyoid, and, in some classifications, anterior vertebral (prevertebral) muscles.
The superficial subgroup includes the platysma and sternocleidomastoid muscles. 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 if contracting unilaterally. If contracting bilaterally, it extends the lower cervical spine and flexes the upper cervical spine. It can also elevate the sternum and clavicle, expanding the thoracic cavity during forced inspiration.
The suprahyoid muscles are located superior to the hyoid bone, a small bone at the top of the neck, just below the jawline. They include the digastric, mylohyoid, geniohyoid, and stylohyoid muscles. The main function of these muscles is to move the hyoid bone and coordinate the movements of the floor of the mouth and the hyoid bone during swallowing and vocalization.
The infrahyoid muscles are found inferior to the hyoid bone and include the sternohyoid, omohyoid, sternothyroid, and thyrohyoid. These muscles move the larynx (voice box) up and down.
The scalene muscles move the first two ribs up and down, aiding inhalation. They also help move the head and stabilize the bones in the neck (cervical spine).
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Posterior neck muscles
The neck muscles are skeletal muscles, meaning they are attached to bones by tendons. They are voluntary muscles, so we control how they move and work. Neck muscles support the head and help us perform a range of movements, including chewing, swallowing, and breathing. They also assist in maintaining posture and balance.
The neck muscles can be divided into three main categories based on their position in the neck: anterior (front), lateral (side), and posterior (back). The muscles in the posterior neck are responsible for the extension of the neck. They can be further subdivided into three groups: superficial, deep, and deepest layers.
The superficial layer of the posterior neck muscles is composed of the trapezius and the two splenius muscles (capitis and cervicis). The trapezius muscle primarily functions to produce lateral flexion and contralateral rotation of the head when contracting unilaterally, and extension of the head when 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 of the posterior neck muscles is composed of the transversospinales muscles of the cervical region: semispinalis capitis, semispinalis cervicis, and multifidus cervicis. These muscles help us move our head forward and backward and tilt it from side to side. They also help stabilize the spine and move the cervical, thoracic, and lumbar regions of the spine.
The deepest layer of the posterior neck muscles 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 suboccipital muscles help extend, laterally flex, and rotate the head, as well as maintain posture. The interspinales cervicis and intertransversarii colli muscles are primarily proprioceptive and stabilizer muscles, assisting other muscles in the extension and lateral flexion of the neck.
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The importance of neck movement
The neck is a complex structure of bones, muscles, nerves, blood vessels, and connective tissues. Neck muscles are skeletal muscles, meaning they are attached to bones by tendons. There are about 30 muscles in the neck, which are divided into three main groups: anterior, lateral, and posterior. These muscles help to support the head and enable a range of movements, including chewing, swallowing, breathing, and moving the head in all directions.
Secondly, the neck plays a vital role in sensory functions and communication between the brain and the rest of the body. Most sensory inputs occur at the head, and the neck acts as a conduit for transmitting motor and sensory information, as well as nutrients, between the body and the head. This communication is essential for maintaining proper bodily functions and overall health.
Additionally, neck movement is important for maintaining good posture and spinal health. The cervical spine, which is the bony part of the neck, helps stabilize and maintain the head position so that our eyes are parallel to the ground. This is crucial for vestibular function, which assists in maintaining balance. By keeping the neck muscles strong and flexible through exercises and stretches, we can improve our posture, relieve pain, and increase our range of motion.
Furthermore, neck movement is essential for performing daily activities that require a wide range of motion in the neck, such as driving or playing sports. A healthy neck also contributes to respiratory functions by aiding in swallowing and elevating the rib cage during inhalation.
In conclusion, the importance of neck movement is multifaceted and vital to our overall health and well-being. The neck muscles enable us to interact with our environment, maintain balance, perform daily activities, and facilitate essential bodily functions. Therefore, it is important to maintain neck health through exercises, stretches, and injury prevention, as neck injuries can have significant consequences on our functionalities.
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Frequently asked questions
The three main groups of muscles that move the neck are the anterior, lateral, and posterior groups, based on their position in the neck.
The anterior neck muscles assist with swallowing, speech, and controlling the positions of the larynx (voice box) and hyoid bone.
The lateral neck muscles control head movements from the base of the skull, allowing you to twist your head from side to side and tilt your cervical spine.
The posterior neck muscles are primarily responsible for head movements, particularly extension of the neck.
Examples of posterior neck muscles include the splenius muscles (splenius capitis and splenius cervicis), suboccipitals, and transversospinalis.
