Anatomy: Neck
Posterior Neck
| Muscle | Attachements | Nerve Supply | Actions |
| Levator Scapulae | O: Transverse process of C1- C4 vertebrae I: Superior angle of scapula | Dorsal Scapular Nerve Cervical ( C3, C4) Nerve | – Elevates scapula |
| Splenius Capitus | O: Inferior half of nuchal ligament, spinous processes of T1-T6 vertebrae I: Lateral aspect of mastoid process, lateral thirds of superior nuchal line | Posterior Rami of Middle Cervical Spinal Nerves | – Laterally flexes neck – Rotates neck to same side – Extends neck bilaterally |
| Splenius Cervicus | O: Inferior half of nuchal ligament, spinous processes of T1-T6 vertebrae I: Transvere processes of C1 – C3/ C4 vertebrae | Posterior Rami of Middle Cervical Spinal Nerves | Laterally flexes neck – Rotates neck to same side – Extends neck bilaterally |
| Suboccipitals ( Rectus capitis posterior mj; RCP+, Rectus capitis posterior minor; RCP-, Oblique capitis inferior; OSI, Oblique capitis superior; OCS) | RCP+ O: Spinous proces of C2 vertebra I: Lateral part of inferior nuchal line RCP- O: Posterior arch of C1 vertebra I: Medial third of inferior nuchal line OCI O: Spinous process of C2 vertebra I: Transverse process of C1 vertebra OCS O: Transverse process of C1 I: Occipital bone between superior and inferior nuchal lines | Suboccipital Nerve | – Extend head at C1 – Rotated head at C1 |
Anterior and Lateral Neck
| Muscle | Attachements | Nerve Supply | Actions |
| Anterior Scalene | O: Transverse processes of C3- C6 I: 1st rib | Cervical Spinal Nerves ( C4- C6) | – Flexes neck laterally -Elevates 1st rib during forced inspiration |
| Middle Scalene | O: Transverse processes of C4-C7 I: 1st rib | Anterior Rami of cervical spinal nerves C7 and C8 | – Flexes neck laterally – Elevates 1st rib during forced inspiration |
| Posterior Scalene | O: Transverse processes of C4-C6 I: 2nd rib | Anterior Rami of cervical spinal nerves C7 and C8 | -Flexes neck laterally – Elevate2nd rib during forced inspiration |
| Sternocleidomastoid | O: Lateral surface of mastoid process and lateral half of superior nuchal line I:Anterior surface of manubrium of sternum, superior surface of medial third of clavicle | Spinal Accessory Nerve | – Tilts head to same side -Rotates head so face is turned towards opposite side – Extends neck at C0-C1, bilaterally – Flexes cervical vertebrae bilaterally |
