HumanMusclesNeck

Muscles of Human Neck

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This page is intended to list all muscles of biological human in the neck area. Related findings are structured by other research themes.

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Coverage verified by:

• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Book:Muscular_system
• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Table_of_muscles_of_the_human_body
• https://www.msu.edu/user/vosskurt/Miscellaneous%20pages/musnvrt.htm

TARGET.TEA.LUNG

Pharynx

(generated)

• *[- stylopharyngeus muscle]*; TYPE={cranial}; NERVES={HumanNervesCranial glossopharyngeal nerve, stylopharyngeal branch}; ACTION={elevate the larynx, elevate the pharynx, swallowing}
• *[- salpingopharyngeus muscle]*; TYPE={cranial}; NERVES={HumanNervesCranial vagus nerve, pharyngeal plexus}; ACTION={raise the nasopharynx}
• *Pharyngeal constrictor*

* *[- inferior pharyngeal constrictor muscle]*; TYPE={cranial}; NERVES={HumanNervesCranial laryngeal nerve, external}; ACTION={swallowing}
* *[- middle pharyngeal constrictor muscle]*; TYPE={cranial}; NERVES={HumanNervesCranial vagus nerve, pharyngeal plexus}; ACTION={swallowing}
* *[- superior pharyngeal constrictor muscle]*; TYPE={cranial}; NERVES={HumanNervesCranial vagus nerve, pharyngeal plexus}; ACTION={swallowing}

• *[- pharyngeal tonsils]*; TYPE={gland}; NERVES={HumanNervesCranial pharyngeal nerve}; ACTION={enhance the capabilities of the lymphatic system against foreign agents that enter through nose}

Larynx

(generated)

• *Cricoarytenoid muscle*

* *[- lateral cricoarytenoid muscle]*; TYPE={cranial}; NERVES={HumanNervesCranial inferior laryngeal nerve}; ACTION={adduct and medially rotate the cartilage, pulling the vocal ligaments towards the midline and backwards and so closing off the rima glottidis}
* *[- posterior cricoarytenoid muscle]*; TYPE={cranial}; NERVES={HumanNervesCranial inferior laryngeal nerve}; ACTION={abducts and laterally rotates the cartilage, pulling the vocal ligaments away from the midline and forward and so opening the rima glottidis}

• *[- aryepiglottic muscle]*; TYPE={cranial}; NERVES={HumanNervesCranial inferior laryngeal nerve}; ACTION={close the inlet}
• *[- arytenoid muscle]*; TYPE={cranial}; NERVES={HumanNervesCranial laryngeal nerve, external}; ACTION={approximate the arytenoid cartilages (close rima glottidis)}
• *[- cricothyroid muscle]*; TYPE={cranial}; NERVES={HumanNervesCranial laryngeal nerve, external}; ACTION={tension and elongation of the vocal folds (has minor adductory effect)}
• *[- levator muscle of thyroid gland]*; TYPE={cranial}; NERVES={HumanNervesCranial laryngeal nerve, external}; ACTION={elevates the thyroid gland}
• *[- oblique arytenoid muscle]*; TYPE={cranial}; NERVES={HumanNervesCranial inferior laryngeal nerve}; ACTION={sphincter of the laryngeal inlet}
• *[- thyroarytenoid muscle]*; TYPE={cranial}; NERVES={HumanNervesCranial inferior laryngeal nerve}; ACTION={thickens the vocal folds and decreases length; also helps to adduct the vocal folds during speech}
• *[- thyroepiglottic muscle]*; TYPE={cranial}; NERVES={HumanNervesCranial inferior laryngeal nerve}; ACTION={closes the inlet to the larynx}

TARGET.TEA.NECK

Suboccipital

(generated)

• *Obliquus capitis*

* *[- obliquus capitis inferior muscle]*; TYPE={extensor}; NERVES={HumanNervesSpinalCervical suboccipital nerve}; ACTION={rotation of head and neck}
* *[- obliquus capitis superior muscle]*; TYPE={extensor}; NERVES={HumanNervesSpinalCervical suboccipital nerve}; ACTION={extends head and flex head to the ipsilateral side}

• *Rectus capitis posterior*

* *[- rectus capitis posterior major muscle]*; TYPE={extensor}; NERVES={HumanNervesSpinalCervical suboccipital nerve}; ACTION={ipsilateral rotation of head and extension}
* *[- rectus capitis posterior minor muscle]*; TYPE={extensor}; NERVES={HumanNervesSpinalCervical suboccipital nerve}; ACTION={extends the head at the neck, but is now considered to be more of a sensory organ than a muscle}

Cervical

(generated)

• *[- platysma muscle]*; TYPE={cranial}; NERVES={HumanNervesCranial facial nerve, cervical branch}; ACTION={Draws the corners of the mouth inferiorly and widens it (as in expressions of sadness and fright). Also draws the skin of the neck superiorly when teeth are clenched}
• *[- sternocleidomastoid muscle]*; TYPE={flexor}; NERVES={HumanNervesCranial accessory nerve, external}; ACTION={Acting alone, tilts head to its own side and rotates it so the face is turned towards the opposite side. Acting together, flexes the neck, raises the sternum and assists in forced inspiration.}
• *Splenius muscles*

* *[- splenius capitis muscle]*; TYPE={extensor}; NERVES={HumanNervesSpinalCervical nerve to splenius capitis muscle}; ACTION={prime mover for head extension; can also allow lateral flexion and rotation of the cervical spine}
* *[- splenius cervicis muscle]*; TYPE={extensor}; NERVES={HumanNervesSpinalCervical nerve to splenius cervilis muscle}; ACTION={bilaterally: extend the head and neck, unilaterally: lateral flexion to the same side, rotation to the same side}

Suprahyoid

(generated)

• *Digastric muscle*

* *[- digastric muscle, facial]*; TYPE={cranial}; NERVES={HumanNervesCranial facial nerve, digastric branch}; ACTION={opens the jaw when the masseter and the temporalis are relaxed; elevate hyoid bone to open mouth}
* *[- digastric muscle, trigeminal]*; TYPE={cranial}; NERVES={HumanNervesCranial mylohyoid nerve}; ACTION={opens the jaw when the masseter and the temporalis are relaxed}

• *[- geniohyoid muscle]*; TYPE={flexor}; NERVES={HumanNervesSpinalCervical nerve to geniohyoid}; ACTION={carry hyoid bone and the tongue upward during deglutition}
• *[- mylohyoid muscle]*; TYPE={cranial}; NERVES={HumanNervesCranial mylohyoid nerve}; ACTION={raises oral cavity floor, elevates hyoid, depresses mandible}
• *[- stylohyoid muscle]*; TYPE={cranial}; NERVES={HumanNervesCranial facial nerve, stylohyoid branch}; ACTION={elevate the hyoid during swallowing}

Infrahyoid/Strap

(generated)

• *[- omohyoid muscle]*; TYPE={extensor}; NERVES={HumanNervesSpinalCervical ansa cervicalis, superior root}; ACTION={Depresses the larynx and hyoid bone. Carries hyoid bone backward and to the side}
• *[- sternohyoid muscle]*; TYPE={extensor}; NERVES={HumanNervesSpinalCervical ansa cervicalis, inferior root}; ACTION={depress hyoid bone}
• *[- sternothyroid muscle]*; TYPE={extensor}; NERVES={HumanNervesSpinalCervical ansa cervicalis, inferior root}; ACTION={elevates larynx, may slightly depress hyoid bone}
• *[- thyrohyoid muscle]*; TYPE={extensor}; NERVES={HumanNervesSpinalCervical thyroid nerve}; ACTION={depresses hyoid bone and elevates the larynx}

Vertebrate

(generated)

• *[- longus capitis muscle]*; TYPE={flexor}; NERVES={HumanNervesSpinalCervical nerve to longus capitis and longus colli muscles}; ACTION={flexion of neck at atlanto-occipital joint}
• *[- longus colli muscle]*; TYPE={flexor}; NERVES={HumanNervesSpinalCervical nerve to longus capitis and longus colli muscles}; ACTION={flexes the neck and head}
• *[- rectus capitis anterior muscle]*; TYPE={flexor}; NERVES={HumanNervesSpinalCervical nerve to atlanto-occipital joint muscles}; ACTION={flexion of neck at atlanto-occipital joint}
• *[- rectus capitis lateralis muscle]*; TYPE={flexor}; NERVES={HumanNervesSpinalCervical nerve to atlanto-occipital joint muscles}; ACTION={sidebend at atlanto-occipital joint, takes care of flexing the neck}
• *Scalene muscles*

* *[- scalenus anterior muscle]*; TYPE={flexor}; NERVES={HumanNervesSpinalCervical nerve to scalene and levator scapulae muscles}; ACTION={C5, C6, elevates first rib, rotate the neck to the opposite side}
* *[- scalenus medius muscle]*; TYPE={flexor}; NERVES={HumanNervesSpinalCervical nerve to scalene and levator scapulae muscles}; ACTION={C3, C4, C5, C6, C7, C8, elevate 1st rib, laterally flex (bend) the neck to the same side}
* *[- scalenus posterior muscle]*; TYPE={flexor}; NERVES={HumanNervesSpinalCervical nerve to scalene and levator scapulae muscles}; ACTION={C6, C7, C8, elevate 2nd rib, tilt the neck to the same side}