Anterior/Lateral Neck Muscles

Question 1

Rectus capitis anterior

Answer 1

Superior attach: occiput
Inferior attach: lateral mass of C1

Action: flexes head on the neck

Question 2

Rectus capitis lateralis

Answer 2

Sup attach: occiput
Inferior attach: TVP of C1

Action: flexes head on the neck
Action: laterally flexes head on neck

Question 3

Longus colli (aka longus cervicis)

Answer 3

Superior attach: anterior tubercle C1
Inferior attach: body of T3
Additional attachments to the bodies and TVPs of the cervical spine

Action: flexion of the neck (weak flexor)

Question 4

Longus capitis

Answer 4

Superior attach: occiput
Inferior attach: TVPs of C3-6

Action: flexion of head and neck itself

Question 5

True or false the anterior/lateral neck muscles are involved in whiplash?

Answer 5

True

Question 6

What are lateral neck muscles accessory muscles to?

Answer 6

Respiration

Question 7

Anterior scalene

Answer 7

Superior attach: anterior tubercles of C3-6 TVPS
Inferior attach: rib 1 (scalene tubercle)
Action: bilateral flexion of the neck
Action: unilateral ipsilateral lateral flex neck
Action: unilateral contralateral rotation of the neck (weak)
Action: elevates 1st rib during forced inhalation

Question 8

Middle scalene

Answer 8

Longest of the scalenes
Sup attach: posterior tubercles of C2-7 TVPs
Inferior attach: rib 1 (posterior of subclavian artery)

Action: unilateral ipsilateral lateral flex
Action: unilateral contralateral rotation or neck (weak
Action: elevates 1st rib during forced inhalation

Question 9

Which scalene muscles contribute to thoracic outlet syndrome?

Answer 9

Middle and posterior

Question 10

Posterior scalene

Answer 10

Superior attach: posterior tubercles of C4-6 TVPs
Inferior attach: rib 2

Action: unilateral ipsilateral lateral flexion
Action: elevates rib 2 during forced inhalation

Question 11

Sternocleidomastoid (SCM)

Answer 11

Sup attach: mastoid process
Inferior attach: sternum, clavicle

Action: contralateral rotation of the head AND neck
Action: ipsilateral lateral flexion of head AND neck
Action: flexion of neck (if head/ neck is neutral or flexed)
Action: extension of head (if head is already extended)
Action: assists with inspiration
Action: anterior translation and spatial orientation

Question 12

What is the base of the Anterior Cervical Triangle?

Answer 12

Mandible

Question 13

What is the lateral border of the Anterior Cervical Triangle?

Answer 13

SCM

Question 14

What is the medial border of the Anterior Cervical Triangle?

Answer 14

Midsagittal plane of the neck

Question 15

What are the contacts of the Anterior Cervical Triangle?

Answer 15

Muscles, arteries, veins, lymph nodes, viscera

Thyroid and parathyroid gland

Question 16

What is the base of the Posterior Cervical Triangle?

Answer 16

Clavicle

Question 17

What is the anterior border of the Posterior Cervical Triangle?

Answer 17

SCM

Question 18

What is the posterior border of the Posterior Cervical Triangle?

Answer 18

Trapezius

Question 19

What is the floor of the Posterior Cervical Triangle?

Answer 19

Splenius capitis
Levator scapula
Middle scalenes 
Posterior scalenes 
Omohyoid

Question 20

What are the contents of the Posterior Cervical Triangle?

Answer 20

Blood vessels and nerves