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
| | Bilaterally Unilaterally
- rotation to the opposite side
|
Longus capitis
| - anterior tubercles of the transverse processes of C3-C6
| - basilar part of occipital bone
| | - 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
| | | - elevate the first rib during forced inspiration
Bilaterally 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
| | - elevate the first rib during forced inspiration
Bilaterally Unilaterally
- lateral flexion of the neck
|
Posterior scalene
| - posterior tubercles of the transverse processes of C5-C7
| - external border of the 2nd rib
| | - elevates the second rib during forced inspiration
Bilaterally 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
|