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The sternocleidomastoid (SCM) muscle is the most prominent muscle in the front of the neck. SCM syndrome is a condition that causes neck stiffness, pain and other symptoms. SCM muscle injuries can be caused by poor posture, stress, anxiety, trauma, and overuse. SCM muscle activation during breathing has been studied in healthy subjects and patients with COPD, a condition characterised by airflow obstruction and dyspnea. SCM thickness and thickening fraction (TF) have been found to correlate with exercise tolerance in COPD patients, with increased SCM activity compensating for weakened respiratory function.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Definition | The sternocleidomastoid (SCM) is the most superficial and largest muscle in the front portion of the neck. |
| Function | The SCM allows you to bend, turn, and tilt your head. It also helps with breathing, chewing, and maintaining posture. |
| Activation | The SCM is activated during strenuous breathing or severe respiratory insufficiency, such as during a maximal lung inflation. |
| Injuries and Disorders | SCM syndrome, torticollis (wryneck), and temporomandibular joint disorders (TMD) can result from SCM injuries, sprains, strains, atrophy, or tumors. |
| Treatment | Treatment options include massage, osteopathic manipulation, physical therapy, and surgery in severe cases. Stress management, exercise, sleep, yoga, and meditation are also recommended. |
| COPD | In patients with COPD, the SCM thickness correlates with exercise tolerance, and its activation increases during exercise when higher ventilation is required. |
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What You'll Learn
- The SCM muscle is an accessory muscle for respiration
- SCM thickness correlates with exercise tolerance in patients with COPD
- SCM muscles are recruited during strenuous breathing
- SCM syndrome is an acute or chronic condition involving neck stiffness, pain and other symptoms
- SCM is the most prominent muscle in the front of the neck
The SCM muscle is an accessory muscle for respiration
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 below your skin on both sides of your neck. The SCM extends from the mastoid process at the base of your skull to your collarbones (clavicles) and breastbone (sternum).
The SCM muscle is also considered an accessory muscle for respiration. Accessory muscles of respiration are muscles that assist, but do not play a primary role, in breathing. They are recruited during times of exercise due to the increased metabolic need and during dysfunction in the respiratory system. 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 is electrically silent during quiet breathing and has a high activation threshold. It is activated during exercise when higher ventilation is required, such as in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). COPD is characterised by minimally reversible airflow obstruction, resulting in difficulty inhaling due to a weakened diaphragm. The SCM compensates for this weakened respiratory function by increasing its activity during inspiration.
In addition to its role in respiration, the SCM is also involved in maintaining posture and stabilising the neck. SCM syndrome is a condition that can occur when the SCM muscle develops tightened, sensitive areas or trigger points, leading to neck stiffness, pain, and other symptoms. Treatment options for SCM-related issues include stretching, physical therapy, osteopathic manipulation, and surgery in severe cases.
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SCM thickness correlates with exercise tolerance in patients with COPD
The sternocleidomastoid (SCM) muscle is a powerful neck muscle that allows you to bend your neck and turn or tilt your head. It is also considered an accessory muscle for respiration. SCM syndrome, a condition involving neck stiffness and pain, can occur when the SCM muscle develops tightened, sensitive areas or trigger points.
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a progressive medical condition characterized by minimally reversible airflow obstruction. Patients with COPD experience difficulty inhaling as the diaphragm becomes flattened and weakened due to lung hyperinflation. This weakened respiratory function is compensated for by the increased activity of accessory respiratory muscles, including the SCM.
A study evaluated the difference in SCM thickening fraction (SCM TF) during respiratory phases between patients with COPD and control subjects. SCM thickness was measured during end-expiration, resting breathing, and end-inspiration. The SCM was significantly thinner in patients with COPD than in controls at end-expiration. However, the SCM TF from end-expiration to resting inspiration was significantly greater in patients with COPD than in control subjects.
The study also evaluated the correlation between SCM TF and exercise tolerance in patients with COPD. Peak oxygen uptake (peak VO2), which reflects exercise capacity, had a significant positive correlation with SCM thickness in patients with COPD. Additionally, the SCM TF from end-expiration to end-inspiration in patients with COPD did not differ significantly from that in control subjects.
In conclusion, the SCM may be thinner in patients with COPD than in controls, and SCM TF may be associated with exercise tolerance. The SCM's role in compensating for weakened respiratory function in COPD patients highlights its potential impact on exercise tolerance.
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SCM muscles are recruited during strenuous breathing
The sternocleidomastoid (SCM) muscle is a powerful neck muscle that allows for neck bending and head turning and tilting. It is also considered an accessory muscle for respiration, working with other neck muscles to lift the breastbone and collarbone during inhalation, creating space for the lungs to take in air.
During strenuous breathing, the SCM muscles are recruited as accessory respiratory muscles. They are activated during exercise when higher ventilation is required. This is particularly evident in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), who experience weakened respiratory function due to a flattened and weakened diaphragm. The SCM muscles compensate for this weakened function by increasing their activity during inspiration, as observed in electromyographic studies.
The SCM muscles' contribution to breathing becomes more significant during strenuous activities that demand increased ventilation. Their activation threshold is high, and they remain electrically silent during quiet breathing. However, during intense physical exertion or respiratory dysfunction, the SCM muscles are recruited to assist in inspiration, ensuring adequate ventilation for the body's metabolic needs.
In addition to their role in respiration, the SCM muscles also play a crucial role in neck posture function. They interact with the cervical vertebrae and are associated with functional neck movement. Their activation during strenuous breathing can impact neck posture and stability, highlighting the complex interplay between respiration and cervical spine mechanics.
Furthermore, feedback respiratory exercises have been shown to influence SCM muscle activity. These exercises aim to inhibit the use of accessory muscles like the SCM by preventing compensation during breathing. By managing neck posture and reducing excessive tension and contraction of neck muscles, these exercises can help improve respiratory function and overall neck health.
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SCM syndrome is an acute or chronic condition involving neck stiffness, pain and other symptoms
The sternocleidomastoid (SCM) muscle is a powerful neck muscle that allows you to bend your neck and turn or tilt your head. SCM syndrome is a condition characterised by pain and discomfort in the neck and head region, caused by the dysfunction or overuse of the SCM muscle. SCM syndrome can be an acute or chronic condition involving neck stiffness, pain, and other symptoms.
SCM syndrome occurs when parts of the SCM muscle develop tightened, sensitive areas, or trigger points. The SCM muscle's size and complexity make it susceptible to strain and injury, which can lead to trigger points developing in multiple places within the muscle. The condition often arises due to repetitive strain or tension, resulting in muscle spasms, trigger points, and referred pain. While the exact cause can vary, factors such as poor posture, prolonged computer use, stress, and neck injuries contribute to its development.
Symptoms of SCM syndrome include localized pain in the neck, jaw, face, and head, as well as headaches, dizziness, and difficulty with neck movement. The pain can be felt in different places, such as the sinuses, forehead, or near the eyebrows. Other symptoms may include nausea, tinnitus, vertigo, torticollis, and balance issues. SCM syndrome can also be associated with temporomandibular joint disorders (TMD), which occur when the muscles and ligaments supporting the TMJ become irritated or injured.
Treatments for SCM syndrome include conservative options such as stretching, physical therapy, osteopathic manipulation, and massage. Managing stress and maintaining good posture are also important aspects of SCM syndrome management. If conservative treatments are ineffective and severe structural damage is present, surgery may be required.
To prevent SCM syndrome, it is recommended to proactively stretch the SCM muscle, especially for those in positions that can strain the muscle over time, such as violinists, painters, and carpenters. Managing stress can also help prevent tension and strain in the SCM muscle, reducing the risk of stiffness and pain.
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SCM is the most prominent muscle in the front of the neck
The sternocleidomastoid (SCM) muscle is the most prominent muscle in the front of the neck. It is a powerful neck muscle that allows you to bend your neck and turn or tilt your head. The SCM muscle borders two neck regions known as triangles—the anterior triangle and the posterior triangle. The SCM helps divide the neck into these regions, which contain important nerves, blood vessels, lymph nodes, and glands.
The SCM originates from two locations: the manubrium of the sternum and the clavicle. It travels obliquely across the side of the neck and inserts at the mastoid process of the temporal bone of the skull. The SCM is thick and narrow at its centre, and broader and thinner at both ends. The SCM muscle ends at the mastoid process, which is located at the base of the skull behind the ears.
The SCM is a large muscle that can be easily felt on both the right and left sides of the neck. It is susceptible to strain and injury due to its size and complexity, which can lead to neck stiffness and pain. Treatments for SCM-related issues include stretching, physical therapy, and osteopathic manipulation. Maintaining good posture and managing stress can also help prevent SCM-related issues.
The SCM also plays a role in respiration, acting as an accessory muscle during breathing. It works with other neck muscles to lift the breastbone and collarbone during inhalation, creating space for the lungs to take in air. This accessory muscle function is particularly important in patients with COPD, where the SCM compensates for weakened respiratory function by increasing its activity during inspiration.
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Frequently asked questions
The Sternocleidomastoid (SCM) muscle is the largest muscle in the front of your neck. It is responsible for most head movements and helps with breathing by working with other neck muscles to lift the breastbone and collarbone when inhaling.
The SCM is considered an accessory muscle for respiration. It is recruited during strenuous breathing or severe respiratory insufficiency, such as in patients with COPD, to compensate for weakened respiratory function.
Sternocleidomastoid syndrome can cause neck stiffness, pain, and other symptoms such as headaches, dizziness, and balance problems. It occurs when the SCM develops tightened, sensitive areas or trigger points.
You can care for your SCM by managing stress, maintaining good posture, and getting regular exercise and sleep. Treatments for SCM issues include stretching, physical therapy, osteopathic manipulation, and in severe cases, surgery.
