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Health

Neck muscles

, medical expert
Last reviewed: 20.11.2021
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Muscles and fasciae of the neck have a complex structure and topography, which is due to their unequal origin, different functions, relationships with the internal organs of the neck, blood vessels and nerves. Neck muscles are divided into separate groups according to their origin and topographic features (by neck areas).

Distinguish the muscles that developed on the basis of the first (mandibular) and second (hyoid) visceral, gill arches, and muscles that developed from the ventral divisions of the myotomes.

The mesenchyme derivatives of the first visceral arc are the maxillo-hyoid muscle, the anterior abdomen of the digastric muscle. From the mesenchyme of the second visceral arch, the syllabus muscle develops, the posterior abdomen of the digastric muscle and the subcutaneous muscle of the neck. From the mesenchyme of the gill arches, the sternocleidomastoid and trapezius muscles are formed. From the ventral part of myotomas, the sternum-sublingual, the sternum-thyroid, the shield-hyoid, the scapula-sublingual, the subordinate-sublingual, the anterior, middle and posterior stairways, as well as the prevertebral muscles: the long neck muscle and the long muscle of the head. Topographically, the neck muscles are divided into superficial and deep.

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Superficial muscles of the neck

To the superficial muscles of the neck are: the subcutaneous muscle of the neck, the sternocleidomastoid muscle, and the muscles attached to the hyoid bone, as well as the sub-lingual and sublingual muscles. To the group of the hypoglossal muscles belong the maxillofacial, dvuhobryushnaya, shilo-sublingual and chin-hyoid muscles. To the sublingual muscles are the sterno-hyoid, the sternum-thyroid, the thyroid and the scapula-hyoid muscle. Deep neck muscles in turn are divided into lateral and prevertebrate groups. The lateral group includes the anterior, middle and posterior stair muscles lying to the side of the vertebral column. The prevertebral group, located in front of the spinal column, includes the muscles of the head: the anterior rectus muscle of the head, the lateral rectus muscle of the head, and the long neck muscle.

The subcutaneous muscle of the neck (platysma) is thin, flat, lies directly under the skin. It begins in the thoracic area below the clavicle on the superficial plate of the thoracic fascia, passes upward and medially, occupying almost the entire anterolateral region of the neck. There remains not a closed muscle a small section, which looks like a triangle above the jugular notch of the sternum.

Subcutaneous Neck Muscle 

The sternocleidomastoid muscle (m. Sternocleidomastoideus) is located under the subcutaneous muscle of the neck, with the head turned to the side, its contour is designated as a pronounced cushion on the anterolateral surface of the neck. This muscle begins with two parts (medial and lateral) on the front surface of the sternum and the sternal end of the clavicle. Rising up and back, the muscle is attached to the mastoid process of the temporal bone and the lateral segment of the superior ear line of the occipital bone. Above the clavicle between the medial and lateral parts of the muscle is a small supraclavicular fossa (fossa supraclavicularis minor).

Breast-clavicular-mastoid muscle 

Muscles attached to the hyoid bone

The muscles that lie above the hyoid bone are the muscles, the sub-lingual muscles (mm. Suprahyoidei), and the muscles lying below the hyoid bone are the sub-lingual muscles (mm.infrahyoidei). Both muscle groups (paired) act on the hyoid bone, which is the support for the muscles involved in important functions: acts of chewing, swallowing, speech, etc. The hyoid bone is held in its position solely by the interaction of muscles that approach it from different directions.

Muscles attached to the hyoid bone 

Deep neck muscles

Deep neck muscles are divided into lateral and medial (pre-invertebrate) groups.

The lateral group is represented by three staircases. According to their location, the front, middle and back stair muscles are distinguished.

Deep neck muscles

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