Kinesiology

Lesson 6 of 16

Neck muscles

The neck supports the head while allowing orientation and communication. Its muscles coordinate cervical movement, posture, and shoulder-girdle position. Because important nerves and vessels pass through the region, use broad contact and conservative pressure. Treat symptoms such as sudden severe pain, dizziness, or radiating numbness as reasons to stop and refer appropriately.

Key points

• Sternocleidomastoid can flex the neck bilaterally and rotate the head contralaterally when acting unilaterally.
• Scalenes assist cervical motion and may elevate upper ribs during increased respiratory effort.
• The levator scapulae links cervical vertebrae with the superior medial scapula.
• Suboccipital muscles make fine head-position adjustments.
• Avoid sustained pressure over the anterior neck and carotid pulse area.
• Support the head and ask about pressure before working near the skull base.

Key terms

Sternocleidomastoid

O: manubrium and medial clavicle; I: mastoid process and superior nuchal line; A: bilaterally flexes neck, unilaterally ipsilaterally side-bends and contralaterally rotates.

Scalenes

O: cervical transverse processes; I: first and second ribs; A: side-bend neck and assist rib elevation.

Levator scapulae

O: transverse processes C1-C4; I: superior medial scapula; A: elevates and downwardly rotates scapula, assists neck side-bending.

Splenius capitis

O: lower nuchal ligament and upper thoracic/lower cervical spinous processes; I: mastoid process and lateral superior nuchal line; A: extends head, ipsilaterally rotates and side-bends.

Longus colli

O: upper thoracic and lower cervical vertebral bodies/transverse processes; I: upper cervical vertebrae and atlas; A: flexes and stabilizes cervical spine.