Head and Neck Muscles

The head muscles are an intricate system responsible for a wide range of movements and functions. They can be divided into several groups based on their specific roles.

Starting with the neck, the muscles in this area control the movements of the head. They can be classified into different subgroups based on their location and functions.

The anterior neck muscles are mainly responsible for bending the neck forward, but they also assist in neck rotation and movements of certain cervical organs, such as the larynx and hyoid bone.

These muscles can be further divided into the following subgroups:

Superficial muscles located beneath the skin: Platysma and sternocleidomastoid.
Suprahyoid muscles situated above the hyoid bone: Digastric, mylohyoid, geniohyoid, and stylohyoid.
Infrahyoid muscles located below the hyoid bone: Sternohyoid, omohyoid, sternothyroid, and thyrohyoid.
Prevertebral muscles positioned anterior to the cervical spine: Rectus capitis anterior, rectus capitis lateralis, longus capitis, and longus colli.
Pharyngeal muscles, including superior, middle, and inferior pharyngeal constrictors, as well as stylopharyngeus and salpingopharyngeus.
Laryngeal muscles, such as cricothyroid, posterior cricoarytenoid muscle, lateral cricoarytenoid, thyroarytenoid, oblique arytenoid, and transverse arytenoid.

The lateral or vertebral group is made up of the anterior, middle, and posterior scalene muscles. Their primary function is the unilateral bending of the neck.

Moving to the posterior aspect of the neck, we encounter the muscles of the back that cover this area. While they are not strictly cervical muscles, they do assist in the movements of the neck, particularly in extension.

These muscles can be divided into three categories:

Superficial muscles: Trapezius, splenius capitis, and splenius cervicis.
Deep muscles: Cervical transversospinalis muscles, including semispinalis capitis, semispinalis cervicis, and multifidus cervicis.
Deepest muscles: Suboccipital muscles, interspinales cervicis, and intertransversarii colli.

Lastly, we have the muscles of the head, encompassing all the muscles found on the face and scalp.

These muscles are incredibly diverse and can be organized into seven groups based on their specific functions:

Extraocular muscles, responsible for moving the eyeballs in different directions.
Superficial muscles of the head, further divided into epicranial, extrinsic auricular, and facial muscles (muscles involved in facial expression).

Rectus Capitis Posterior Minor Muscle

The rectus capitis posterior minor is a small muscle located at the back of the neck. It runs from the base of the skull to the upper vertebrae of the neck (atlas). The primary function of the rectus capitis posterior minor is to extend and rotate the head.

Obliquus Capitis Inferior Muscle

The obliquus capitis inferior is a muscle located at the back of the neck. It runs from the spine to the base of the skull. The primary function of the obliquus capitis inferior is to rotate and laterally flex the head. It plays a role in turning the head to the same side and bending it sideways.

Obliquus Capitis Superior Muscle

The obliquus capitis superior is a muscle located at the back of the neck. It runs from the spine to the base of the skull. The primary function of the obliquus capitis superior is to rotate and laterally flex the head. It plays a role in turning the head to the opposite side and bending it sideways.

Rectus Capitis Posterior Major Muscle

The rectus capitis posterior major is a muscle located at the back of the neck. It runs from the spine to the base of the skull. The primary function of the rectus capitis posterior major is to extend the head, allowing you to look upward. It also plays a role in stabilizing the head and neck during various movements.

Semispinalis Capitis Muscle

The semispinalis capitis is a muscle located in the back of the neck and upper back. It runs from the upper thoracic spine to the base of the skull. The primary function of the semispinalis capitis is to extend and rotate the head. It plays a role in maintaining proper head posture and is involved in various head movements.

Semispinalis Cervicis Muscle

The semispinalis cervicis is a muscle located in the back of the neck. It runs from the upper thoracic spine to the upper cervical vertebrae. The primary function of the semispinalis cervicis is to extend and rotate the neck.

Semispinalis Thoracis

The semispinalis thoracis is a muscle located in the upper and middle back region. It runs from the lower thoracic spine to the upper thoracic spine. The primary function of the semispinalis thoracis is to extend and rotate the spine.

Splenius Capitis Muscle

The splenius capitis is a muscle located in the back of the neck. It runs from the upper thoracic spine to the base of the skull. The primary function of the splenius capitis is to extend, rotate, and laterally flex the head.

Splenius Cervicis Muscle

The splenius cervicis is a muscle located in the back of the neck. It runs from the upper thoracic spine to the upper cervical vertebrae. The primary function of the splenius cervicis is to extend, rotate, and laterally flex the neck.