Cervical spine muscles

Question 1

Name the C-spine flexors

Answer 1

Longus Colli
Longus Capitis
Sternocleidomastoid

Question 2

Name the C-spine extensors

Answer 2

Semi spinalis cervicus and capitis
Erector spinae
Levator Scapulae
Trapezius

Question 3

Name the C-spine side flexors

Answer 3

Scalenes
Sternocleidomastoid
Trapezius
Levator Scapulae

Question 4

Name the C-spine rotators

Answer 4

Semi-spinalis
Splenius
Sternocleidomastoid

Question 5

What are the attachments of the Trapezius? How do you palpate this muscle?

Answer 5

Origin - 
External Occipital Protuberance
The nuchal line
Ligamentum nuchae
Spinous processes of C7-T12

Insertion -
Lateral third of the clavicle
Acromion process
Spine of the scapular

Palpation - Bend elbows, abduct the shoulders to 90 degrees then laterally rotate so your hands are pointing upwards

Question 6

What is the morphology, function, action and nerve supply of the Trapezius?

Answer 6

Morphology - Large, flat triangular sheet muscle

Function - maintain weight against gravity e.g. when carrying your shopping

Action - Upper fibres cause c-spine side flexion and extension, elevation of the shoulders
Middle fibres cause retraction (internal rotation of scapula)
Lower fibres cause depression of the shoulder.

Nerve supply - spinal accessory nerve (11th cranial nerve) and the ventral rami of C3-4 via cervical plexus

Question 7

What are the attachments of the Sternocleidomastoid? How do you palpate the muscle?

Answer 7

Origin -
Medial portion of the clavicle
The manubrium process of the sternum

Insertion -
Mastoid process of the temporal bone, superior nuchal line

Palpation - Side flex your neck and rotate to the side

Question 8

What is the morphology, function, action and nerve supply of the Sternocleidomastoid?

Answer 8

Morphology - long, strap like muscle - there are 2 heads that run obliquely around the neck anteriorly; the sternal and clavicular head. This split at the origin and eventually join together to form a thick muscle belly.

Function - accessory muscle in forced inspiration

Action - side flexion, rotation and flexion of the cervical spine

Nerve supply - Spinal accessory nerve (11th cranial nerve) and the ventral rami of C2-3 via the cervical plexus.

Question 9

What are the attachments of the Levator Scapulae?

Answer 9

Origin -
Posterior tubercles of the transverse processes of C1-4

Insertion -
Superior aspect of the medial border of the scapula

Question 10

What is the morphology, function, action and nerve supply of the Levator Scapulae?

Answer 10

Morphology - triangular shaped muscle

Action - elevation of the scapula, side flexion and extension of the cervical spine.

Function - assists with maintaining a weight against gravity e.g. shopping bags.

Nerve supply - dorsal scapula nerve C4/5

Question 11

What are the attachments of the scalenes?

Answer 11

Origin -
Transverse processes of C2-7

Insertion -
First and second ribs

Question 12

What is the morphology, function, action and nerve supply of the scalenes?

Answer 12

Morphology -

Function - Accessory muscle of inspiration.

Action - Anterior, middle and posterior scalenes cause side flexion, the anterior and middle cause elevation of the 1st rib and the posterior causes elevation of the 2nd rib.

Nerve supply - Cervical nerves C6,7,8