Neck Muscles: Anatomy & Groups | Concise Medical Knowledge (2025)

Overview

Anterior muscles of the neck Neck The part of a human or animal body connecting the head to the rest of the body. Peritonsillar Abscess

Superficial layer:

  • Platysma: depresses the mandible Mandible The largest and strongest bone of the face constituting the lower jaw. It supports the lower teeth. Jaw and Temporomandibular Joint: Anatomy and tenses the skin Skin The skin, also referred to as the integumentary system, is the largest organ of the body. The skin is primarily composed of the epidermis (outer layer) and dermis (deep layer). The epidermis is primarily composed of keratinocytes that undergo rapid turnover, while the dermis contains dense layers of connective tissue. Skin: Structure and Functions of the neck Neck The part of a human or animal body connecting the head to the rest of the body. Peritonsillar Abscess
  • Sternocleidomastoid (SCM): flexion Flexion Examination of the Upper Limbs, extension Extension Examination of the Upper Limbs, and rotation Rotation Motion of an object in which either one or more points on a line are fixed. It is also the motion of a particle about a fixed point. X-rays of the neck Neck The part of a human or animal body connecting the head to the rest of the body. Peritonsillar Abscess
  • Subclavius: anchors the clavicle Clavicle A bone on the ventral side of the shoulder girdle, which in humans is commonly called the collar bone. Clavicle Fracture

Scalenes: lateral and anterior flexion Flexion Examination of the Upper Limbs of the neck Neck The part of a human or animal body connecting the head to the rest of the body. Peritonsillar Abscess:

  • Anterior scalene
  • Medial scalene
  • Posterior scalene

Suprahyoids: elevate the hyoid bone Bone Bone is a compact type of hardened connective tissue composed of bone cells, membranes, an extracellular mineralized matrix, and central bone marrow. The 2 primary types of bone are compact and spongy. Bones: Structure and Types during swallowing Swallowing The act of taking solids and liquids into the gastrointestinal tract through the mouth and throat. Gastrointestinal Motility:

  • Digastric
  • Mylohyoid
  • Geniohyoid
  • Stylohyoid

Infrahyoids: depress the hyoid bone Bone Bone is a compact type of hardened connective tissue composed of bone cells, membranes, an extracellular mineralized matrix, and central bone marrow. The 2 primary types of bone are compact and spongy. Bones: Structure and Types and facilitate downward movement of the larynx Larynx The larynx, also commonly called the voice box, is a cylindrical space located in the neck at the level of the C3-C6 vertebrae. The major structures forming the framework of the larynx are the thyroid cartilage, cricoid cartilage, and epiglottis. The larynx serves to produce sound (phonation), conducts air to the trachea, and prevents large molecules from reaching the lungs. Larynx: Anatomy after swallowing Swallowing The act of taking solids and liquids into the gastrointestinal tract through the mouth and throat. Gastrointestinal Motility:

  • Sternohyoid
  • Thyrohyoid
  • Omohyoid
  • Sternothyroid

Lateral (prevertebral) muscles of the neck Neck The part of a human or animal body connecting the head to the rest of the body. Peritonsillar Abscess

The function includes anterior and lateral flexion Flexion Examination of the Upper Limbs of the neck Neck The part of a human or animal body connecting the head to the rest of the body. Peritonsillar Abscess and stabilization of the cervical vertebral column Vertebral column The human spine, or vertebral column, is the most important anatomical and functional axis of the human body. It consists of 7 cervical vertebrae, 12 thoracic vertebrae, and 5 lumbar vertebrae and is limited cranially by the skull and caudally by the sacrum. Vertebral Column: Anatomy:

  • Longus capitis
  • Longus colli
  • Rectus capitis anterior
  • Rectus capitis lateralis

Posterior muscles of the neck Neck The part of a human or animal body connecting the head to the rest of the body. Peritonsillar Abscess

Splenius group: bilateral contraction ( extension Extension Examination of the Upper Limbs of the neck Neck The part of a human or animal body connecting the head to the rest of the body. Peritonsillar Abscess) and unilateral contraction (lateral flexion Flexion Examination of the Upper Limbs and ipsilateral rotation Rotation Motion of an object in which either one or more points on a line are fixed. It is also the motion of a particle about a fixed point. X-rays):

  • Splenius capitis
  • Splenius cervicis

Suboccipitals (postural muscles): aid in extension Extension Examination of the Upper Limbs, lateral flexion Flexion Examination of the Upper Limbs, and rotation Rotation Motion of an object in which either one or more points on a line are fixed. It is also the motion of a particle about a fixed point. X-rays of the neck Neck The part of a human or animal body connecting the head to the rest of the body. Peritonsillar Abscess:

  • Rectus capitis posterior major
  • Rectus capitis posterior minor
  • Obliquus capitis inferior
  • Obliquus capitis superior

Transversospinalis group: rotation Rotation Motion of an object in which either one or more points on a line are fixed. It is also the motion of a particle about a fixed point. X-rays and extension Extension Examination of the Upper Limbs of the vertebral column Vertebral column The human spine, or vertebral column, is the most important anatomical and functional axis of the human body. It consists of 7 cervical vertebrae, 12 thoracic vertebrae, and 5 lumbar vertebrae and is limited cranially by the skull and caudally by the sacrum. Vertebral Column: Anatomy:

  • Semispinalis capitis
  • Semispinalis cervicis
  • Rotatores cervicis
  • Interspinales cervicis
  • Intertransversarii

Lateral (Prevertebral) Neck Muscles

Table: Lateral neck Neck The part of a human or animal body connecting the head to the rest of the body. Peritonsillar Abscess muscles
Muscle Origin Insertion Blood supply Innervation Function
Longus capitis Anterior tubercles of the transverse processes of the 3rd–6th cervical vertebrae Cervical vertebrae The first seven vertebrae of the spinal column, which correspond to the vertebrae of the neck. Vertebral Column: Anatomy Basilar part of the occipital Occipital Part of the back and base of the cranium that encloses the foramen magnum. Skull: Anatomy bone Bone Bone is a compact type of hardened connective tissue composed of bone cells, membranes, an extracellular mineralized matrix, and central bone marrow. The 2 primary types of bone are compact and spongy. Bones: Structure and Types Branches of the ascending cervical and inferior thyroid Thyroid The thyroid gland is one of the largest endocrine glands in the human body. The thyroid gland is a highly vascular, brownish-red gland located in the visceral compartment of the anterior region of the neck. Thyroid Gland: Anatomy arteries Arteries Arteries are tubular collections of cells that transport oxygenated blood and nutrients from the heart to the tissues of the body. The blood passes through the arteries in order of decreasing luminal diameter, starting in the largest artery (the aorta) and ending in the small arterioles. Arteries are classified into 3 types: large elastic arteries, medium muscular arteries, and small arteries and arterioles. Arteries: Histology Nerves C1–C3/C4 Flexes the neck Neck The part of a human or animal body connecting the head to the rest of the body. Peritonsillar Abscess at the atlantooccipital joint
Longus colli Transverse processes of C5– T3 T3 A T3 thyroid hormone normally synthesized and secreted by the thyroid gland in much smaller quantities than thyroxine (T4). Most T3 is derived from peripheral monodeiodination of T4 at the 5′ position of the outer ring of the iodothyronine nucleus. The hormone finally delivered and used by the tissues is mainly t3. Thyroid Hormones Anterior arch of the atlas Atlas The first cervical vertebra. Vertebral Column: Anatomy Ascending pharyngeal and vertebral arteries Arteries Arteries are tubular collections of cells that transport oxygenated blood and nutrients from the heart to the tissues of the body. The blood passes through the arteries in order of decreasing luminal diameter, starting in the largest artery (the aorta) and ending in the small arterioles. Arteries are classified into 3 types: large elastic arteries, medium muscular arteries, and small arteries and arterioles. Arteries: Histology Nerves C2–C6 Flexes the neck Neck The part of a human or animal body connecting the head to the rest of the body. Peritonsillar Abscess and head
Rectus capitis anterior Anterior surface of the lateral mass Mass Three-dimensional lesion that occupies a space within the breast Imaging of the Breast of the atlas Atlas The first cervical vertebra. Vertebral Column: Anatomy Basilar part of the occipital Occipital Part of the back and base of the cranium that encloses the foramen magnum. Skull: Anatomy bone Bone Bone is a compact type of hardened connective tissue composed of bone cells, membranes, an extracellular mineralized matrix, and central bone marrow. The 2 primary types of bone are compact and spongy. Bones: Structure and Types Ascending pharyngeal artery Ventral primary rami of spinal nerves Spinal nerves The 31 paired peripheral nerves formed by the union of the dorsal and ventral spinal roots from each spinal cord segment. The spinal nerve plexuses and the spinal roots are also included. Spinal Cord: Anatomy C1–C2 Flexion Flexion Examination of the Upper Limbs of the neck Neck The part of a human or animal body connecting the head to the rest of the body. Peritonsillar Abscess at the atlantooccipital joint
Rectus capitis lateralis Upper surface of the transverse process of the atlas Atlas The first cervical vertebra. Vertebral Column: Anatomy Inferior surface of the jugular process of the occipital Occipital Part of the back and base of the cranium that encloses the foramen magnum. Skull: Anatomy bone Bone Bone is a compact type of hardened connective tissue composed of bone cells, membranes, an extracellular mineralized matrix, and central bone marrow. The 2 primary types of bone are compact and spongy. Bones: Structure and Types Ascending cervical artery Nerves C1–C2 Lateral flexion Flexion Examination of the Upper Limbs, stabilizes the atlantooccipital joint
Neck Muscles: Anatomy & Groups | Concise Medical Knowledge (2025)
Top Articles
Latest Posts
Recommended Articles
Article information

Author: Twana Towne Ret

Last Updated:

Views: 6232

Rating: 4.3 / 5 (64 voted)

Reviews: 95% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Twana Towne Ret

Birthday: 1994-03-19

Address: Apt. 990 97439 Corwin Motorway, Port Eliseoburgh, NM 99144-2618

Phone: +5958753152963

Job: National Specialist

Hobby: Kayaking, Photography, Skydiving, Embroidery, Leather crafting, Orienteering, Cooking

Introduction: My name is Twana Towne Ret, I am a famous, talented, joyous, perfect, powerful, inquisitive, lovely person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.