Deep structures of the neck: Prevertebral muscles

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Deep structures of the neck: Prevertebral muscles

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Bones of the neck

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Superficial structures of the neck: Anterior triangle

Superficial structures of the neck: Cervical plexus

Superficial structures of the neck: Posterior triangle

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Deep structures of the neck: Prevertebral muscles

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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

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Viviana Popa, MD,Scott Caterine, BSc (Hons.), MSc, MB, BCh, BAO (Hons.)

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Alexandru Duhaniuc, MD,Kaylee Neff,Elizabeth Nixon-Shapiro, MSMI, CMI,Kaia Chessen, MScBMC

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.

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Deep structures of the neck: Prevertebral muscles

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Deep structures of the neck: Prevertebral muscles

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