Deep structures of the neck: Prevertebral muscles

00:00 / 00:00

Notes

Figure 1: Prevertebral muscles, anterior view.
Figure 2: Prevertebral muscles, lateral view.
Figure 3: Transverse section at C6.
Muscle
Origin
Insertion
Innervation
Action
Anterior Prevertebral Muscles
Longus colli
  • bodies of C5-T3
  • transverse processes of C3-C5 
  • anterior tubercle of C1 
  • bodies of C2-C4
  • transverse processes of C3-C6
  • anterior rami of C2-C6
Bilaterally
  • flexion of the neck
Unilaterally
  • rotation to the opposite side
Longus capitis
  • anterior tubercles of the transverse processes of  C3-C6
  • basilar part of occipital bone
  • anterior rami of C1-C3
  • flexion of the head at the atlanto-occipital joint
Rectus capitis anterior
  • anterior surface of the lateral mass of the atlas (C1)
  • base of the cranium, anterior to the occipital condyles
  • branches from the loop between C1 & C2 spinal nerves
  • flexion of the head at the atlanto-occipital joint
Anterior scalene
  • anterior tubercles of the transverse processes of the C3-C6
  • 1st rib
  • anterior rami of C4-C6
  • elevate the first rib during forced inspiration
Bilaterally
  • flexion of the neck
Unilaterally
  • lateral flexion of the neck
Lateral Prevertebral Muscles
Rectus capitis lateralis
  • transverse process of the atlas (C1)
  • jugular process of the occipital bone
  • branches from the loop between C1 & C2 spinal nerves
  • stabilizes and flexes the atlanto-occipital joint
Middle scalene
  • posterior tubercles of transverse processes of C3-C7
  • superior surface of the first rib
  • anterior rami of C3-C7
  • elevate the first rib during forced inspiration
Bilaterally
  • flexion of the neck
Unilaterally
  • lateral flexion of the neck
Posterior scalene
  • posterior tubercles of the transverse processes of C5-C7
  • external border of the 2nd rib
  • anterior rami of C7 & C8
  • elevates the second rib during forced inspiration
Bilaterally
  • flexion of the neck
Unilaterally
  • lateral flexion of the neck
Levator scapulae
  • posterior tubercles of the transverse processes of C1-C4
  • superior part of the medial border of the scapula
  • anterior rami of C3 & C4
  • dorsal scapular nerve
  • elevation the scapula 
  • downward rotation of the scapula
Splenius capitis
  • inferior half of the nuchal ligament
  • the spinous processes of C7 to T4
  • mastoid process of temporal bone 
  • lateral 1/3 of the superior nuchal line
  • posterior rami of the middle cervical spinal nerves
Bilaterally
  • extension of the head and neck 
Unilaterally
  • lateral flexion 
  • rotation of the head to the same side

Anclajes de memoria y contenidos de colaboraciones

Transcript

Watch video only

The neck is the anatomical region between the base of the cranium superiorly and the clavicles inferiorly and it joins the head to the trunk and limbs, serving as a major conduit for structures passing between them.

The neck contains superficial structures, located in the anterior and posterior triangles and deep structures, like the cervical viscera and the prevertebral muscles.

Now, the prevertebral muscles are deep to the prevertebral layer of the deep cervical fascia and they are divided into anterior prevertebral muscles and lateral prevertebral muscles.

The anterior prevertebral muscles are located directly posterior to the retropharyngeal space and medial to the neurovascular plane of the cervical plexus, brachial plexus and subclavian artery, and they are represented by longus colli, longus capitis, rectus capitis anterior and anterior scalene muscles.

Now, the longus colli originates from the bodies of C5 to T3 vertebrae and the transverse processes of C3 to C5 vertebrae.

It inserts onto the anterior tubercle of the C1 vertebra, the bodies of the C2 to C4 vertebrae and the transverse processes of C3 to C6 vertebrae.

It’s innervated by the anterior rami of C2 to C6 spinal nerves

When it contracts bilaterally, it produces flexion of the neck and when it contracts unilaterally it produces rotation to the opposite side.

Next, there’s the longus capitis, which originates from the anterior tubercles of the transverse processes of C3 through C6 and inserts onto the basilar part of occipital bone.

It’s innervated by the anterior rami of spinal nerves C1 through C3 and its contraction results in flexion of the head at the atlanto-occipital joint.

Elsevier

Copyright © 2024 Elsevier, its licensors, and contributors. All rights are reserved, including those for text and data mining, AI training, and similar technologies.

Cookies are used by this site.

USMLE® is a joint program of the Federation of State Medical Boards (FSMB) and the National Board of Medical Examiners (NBME). COMLEX-USA® is a registered trademark of The National Board of Osteopathic Medical Examiners, Inc. NCLEX-RN® is a registered trademark of the National Council of State Boards of Nursing, Inc. Test names and other trademarks are the property of the respective trademark holders. None of the trademark holders are endorsed by nor affiliated with Osmosis or this website.

RELX