What is the strongest organ?

Neck Muscles

You have more than 20 neck muscles, extending from the base of your skull and jaw down to your shoulder blades and collarbone. These muscles support and stabilize your head, neck and the upper part of your spine. They help you move your head in different directions and assist with chewing, swallowing and breathing.

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Overview

What are neck muscles?

Your neck muscles are part of a complex musculoskeletal system (soft tissues and bones) that connect the base of your skull to your torso. Muscles contain fibers that contract (get smaller), allowing you to perform lots of different movements. Your neck muscles help you do everything from chewing and swallowing to nodding your head. You have more than 20 neck muscles.

The muscles in your neck are skeletal muscles, meaning they’re attached to bones by tendons. They’re voluntary muscles, so you control how they move and work. Other types of muscles in the body – cardiac (in the heart) and smooth (in hollow organs like your stomach) – are involuntary, which means they work without you having to think about it.

Function

What is the purpose of the neck muscles?

The neck muscles serve a variety of functions, including:

Elevating your upper ribs so you can inhale.
Helping with chewing, swallowing and speaking.
Making certain facial expressions.
Moving your head, neck and upper back, including your shoulder blades.
Stabilizing and supporting your head, neck and spine.

Anatomy

Where are the neck muscles located?

Your neck muscles are at the front, back and sides of your neck. From the back, they begin just beneath the base of your skull and extend down near the middle of your back, around your shoulder blades. From the front, these muscles begin at your jaw and extend to your collarbone at the top of your chest.

How are the neck muscles structured?

There are three types of neck muscles: anterior (front), posterior (back) and lateral (side) muscles.

Anterior neck muscles include:

Platysma: Thin sheet of muscle that covers part of your shoulder and upper chest, extending up the jaw. It helps with jaw and mouth movements, as well as tightening the skin in your lower face and neck.
Sternocleidomastoid: One of the largest muscles in the neck, helping you move your head, extend your neck and control your temporomandibular joint (in the jaw). It begins just behind your ear and stretches to your collarbone.
Subclavius: Stabilizes your collarbone when you move your shoulder and arm.
Suprahyoids: Four muscles that move your hyoid bone (a bone at the top of your neck, just below your jawline) when you swallow and speak.
Infrahyoids: Four muscles below your hyoid bone that move your larynx (voice box) up and down.
Scalenes: Three muscles that move your first two ribs up and down so you can inhale air when you breathe. They also help move the head and stabilize the cervical vertebrae (bones in your neck).

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Posterior neck muscles include:

Splenius capitis and splenius cervicis: Strap-like muscles in the back of your neck that help you extend and rotate your head.
Suboccipital muscles: Four muscles just below the occipital bone at the base of your skull. They help extend your head in different directions.
Transversospinalis muscles: Five muscles that help you move your head forward and backward, as well as tilt it from side to side. They also help stabilize your spine and move the cervical, thoracic and lumbar regions of your spine.

Lateral neck muscles include:

Rectus capitis anterior and rectus capitis lateralis: Two muscles that control head movements from the base of your skull.
Longus capitis and longus colli: Two muscles help you twist your head from side to side, as well as twist and tilt your cervical spine.

What are the neck muscles made of?

Like all other skeletal muscles in the body, neck muscles contain lots of tiny, elastic fibers that allow the muscles to contract. Sheaths of tough connective tissue hold the fibers together. Skeletal muscle fibers are red and white, so the muscles look striated (striped or streaked).

Conditions and Disorders

What conditions and disorders affect neck muscles?

Common conditions that affect the neck muscles include:

Spasms: Also called muscle cramps, muscle spasms occur when a muscle contracts and can’t relax. Most spasms are short, lasting only a few seconds. But you may have a sore or stiff neck afterwards.
Strains: A neck strain is an injury to a muscle or tendon. It’s the result of overstretching or tearing the muscle fibers.
Whiplash: If your head moves forward suddenly and then whips backward, you can injure the soft tissue in your neck. Whiplash usually involves muscles, ligaments and tendons.

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How common are neck muscle conditions?

Studies estimate that about 14% of the population has some form of chronic neck pain. Approximately 45% of those cases (about 15.5 million Americans) may be due to whiplash.

Who gets neck muscle injuries?

Whiplash is typically the result of an automobile accident if you’re rear-ended. Neck injuries such as strains are common in athletes who play collision sports like football or hockey. But neck pain can happen to anyone. Turning your head suddenly, sleeping on your neck at an awkward angle, sitting at your desk with bad posture or other everyday activities can cause the occasional neck kink.

What are the symptoms of neck muscle injuries?

Neck injuries may cause:

Headache in the back of your head.
Muscle spasms or pain in your upper shoulder.
Numbness in the arm or hand.
Pain or tenderness in the front, back or side of your neck.
Stiffness or inability to move your head in different directions.
Swelling or bruising around your neck.

How are neck muscle injuries diagnosed?

Your healthcare provider reviews your symptoms and performs a physical exam. They may ask you to move your head, neck and shoulders in different directions to check your muscle strength and range of motion. Your provider may recommend imaging exams, such as an ultrasound or CT scan, if they think you may have muscle damage.

How are neck muscle injuries treated?

Most neck muscle injuries heal over the course of a few days or weeks with at-home treatments. Your provider may recommend:

Heat therapy to relax muscles.
Ice or cold compresses to reduce swelling.
Massage.
Anti-inflammatory medications or muscle relaxants.

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Care

How can I keep my neck muscles healthy?

Keep your neck muscles strong and healthy by:

Maintaining good posture.
Paying attention to your body’s signals. Don’t ignore continued pain, weakness in the arms or headache/neck stiffness.

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I call my doctor?

Serious neck injuries need immediate medical attention. Contact your doctor right away if you have:

Increased irritability, fatigue or difficulty sleeping or concentrating after a neck injury.
Intense headache that persists or gets worse.
Numbness, tingling or weakness in your neck, head, arms or hands.
Sudden, severe neck pain or pain that lasts several days after an injury.

A note from Cleveland Clinic

You have more than 20 neck muscles, which allow you to perform a variety of movements. Our neck muscles stabilize and support our heads and upper backs, in addition to helping us chew, make facial expressions and even breathe. Neck injuries, such as muscle strains or whiplash, can be painful but aren’t usually cause for alarm. But in rare cases, serious neck injuries need immediate medical attention.

Last reviewed by a Cleveland Clinic medical professional on 08/02/2021.

References

American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. Neck Sprain. (https://orthoinfo.aaos.org/en/diseases—conditions/neck-sprain/) Accessed 9/15/2021.
Bordoni B, Varacallo M. Anatomy, Head and Neck, Scalenus Muscle. (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK519058/) [Updated 2021 Feb 7]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2021 Jan-. Accessed 9/15/2021.
Bordoni B, Varacallo M. Anatomy, Head and Neck, Sternocleidomastoid Muscle. (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK532881/) [Updated 2021 Feb 7]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2021 Jan-. Accessed 9/15/2021.
Dave HD, Shook M, Varacallo M. Anatomy, Skeletal Muscle. (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK537236/) [Updated 2020 Sep 22]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2021 Jan-. Accessed 9/15/2021.
Freeman MD, Croft AC, Rossignol AM, Centeno CJ, Elkins WL. Chronic neck pain and whiplash: A case-control study of the relationship between acute whiplash injuries and chronic neck pain. (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2585479/) Pain Research and Management. 2006 Summer;11(2):79-83. Accessed 9/15/2021.
Hoerter JE, Patel BC. Anatomy, Head and Neck, Platysma. (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK545294/) [Updated 2020 Aug 10]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2021 Jan-. Accessed 9/15/2021.
Jung B, Bhutta BS. Anatomy, Head and Neck, Neck Movements. (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK557555/) [Updated 2021 Feb 7]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2021 Jan-. Accessed 9/15/2021.

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The Muscles of Mastication

The muscles of mastication are associated with movements of the jaw (temporomandibular joint). There are four muscles:

Masseter
Temporalis
Medial pterygoid
Lateral pterygoid

The muscles of mastication develop from the first pharyngeal arch. They are therefore innervated by a branch of the trigeminal nerve (CN V), the mandibular nerve.

In this article, we shall look at the anatomy of the muscles of mastication – their attachments, actions, and innervation.

(NB: It is important to note that all the muscles mentioned here are bilateral structures).

Masseter

The masseter muscle is the most powerful muscle of mastication. It is quadrangular in shape and has two parts: deep and superficial.

It lies superficial to the pterygoids and temporalis muscles.

Attachments:
- The superficial part originates from maxillary process of the zygomatic bone.
- The deep part originates from the zygomatic arch of the temporal bone.
- Both parts attach to the ramus of the mandible.
- Actions: Elevation of the mandible (closes the mouth).
- Innervation: Mandibular nerve (V₃).
By TeachMeSeries Ltd (2023)

Fig 1 – The masseter muscle. Only the superficial head is visible
Temporalis
The temporalis muscle originates from the temporal fossa – a shallow depression on the lateral aspect of the skull.
The muscle is covered by tough fascia which can be harvested surgically and used to repair a perforated tympanic membrane (an operation known as a myringoplasty).
- Attachments: Originates from the temporal fossa of the skull and attaches onto the coronoid process of the mandible.
- Actions: Elevation of the mandible (closing the mouth). Also performs retraction of the mandible (moving the jaw posteriorly).
- Innervation: Mandibular nerve (V₃).
By TeachMeSeries Ltd (2023)

Fig 2 – The temporalis muscle.
Medial Pterygoid
The medial pterygoid muscle has a quadrangular shape with two heads: deep and superficial. It is located inferiorly to the lateral pterygoid.
- Attachments:
  - The superficial head originates from the maxillary tuberosity and the pyramidal process of palatine bone.
  - The deep head originates from the medial aspect of the lateral pterygoid plate of the sphenoid bone.
  - Both heads attach to the ramus of the mandible near the angle of mandible.
  - Actions: Elevation of the mandible (closing the mouth).
  - Innervation: Mandibular nerve (V₃).
  Lateral Pterygoid
  The lateral pterygoid muscle has a triangular shape with two heads: superior and inferior. It has horizontally orientated muscle fibres, and thus is the major protractor of the mandible.
  - Attachments:
    - The superior head originates from the greater wing of the sphenoid.
    - The inferior head originates from the lateral pterygoid plate of the sphenoid.
    - The two heads converge into a tendon which attaches to the neck of the mandible.
    - Actions:
      - Bilateral action – protraction of the mandible and depression of the chin.
      - Unilateral action – ‘side to side’ movement of the jaw.
      - Innervation: Mandibular nerve (V₃).
      By TeachMeSeries Ltd (2023)
      
      Fig 3 – The medial and lateral pterygoids.
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      The muscles of mastication are associated with movements of the jaw (temporomandibular joint). There are four muscles:
      - Masseter
      - Temporalis
      - Medial pterygoid
      - Lateral pterygoid
      The muscles of mastication develop from the first pharyngeal arch. They are therefore innervated by a branch of the trigeminal nerve (CN V), the mandibular nerve.
      In this article, we shall look at the anatomy of the muscles of mastication — their attachments, actions, and innervation.
      (NB: It is important to note that all the muscles mentioned here are bilateral structures).
      Masseter
      The masseter muscle is the most powerful muscle of mastication. It is quadrangular in shape and has two parts: deep and superficial.
      It lies superficial to the pterygoids and temporalis muscles.
      - Attachments:
        The superficial part originates from maxillary process of the zygomatic bone.
        The deep part originates from the zygomatic arch of the temporal bone.
        Both parts attach to the ramus of the mandible.
        Actions: Elevation of the mandible (closes the mouth).
        Innervation: Mandibular nerve (V₃).
        Fig 1 — The masseter muscle. Only the superficial head is visible
        Temporalis
        The temporalis muscle originates from the temporal fossa — a shallow depression on the lateral aspect of the skull.
        The muscle is covered by tough fascia which can be harvested surgically and used to repair a perforated tympanic membrane (an operation known as a myringoplasty).
        Attachments: Originates from the temporal fossa of the skull and attaches onto the coronoid process of the mandible.
        Actions: Elevation of the mandible (closing the mouth). Also performs retraction of the mandible (moving the jaw posteriorly).
        Innervation: Mandibular nerve (V₃).
        Fig 2 — The temporalis muscle.
        Medial Pterygoid
        The medial pterygoid muscle has a quadrangular shape with two heads: deep and superficial. It is located inferiorly to the lateral pterygoid.
        Attachments:
        The superficial head originates from the maxillary tuberosity and the pyramidal process of palatine bone.
        The deep head originates from the medial aspect of the lateral pterygoid plate of the sphenoid bone.
        Both heads attach to the ramus of the mandible near the angle of mandible.
        Actions: Elevation of the mandible (closing the mouth).
        Innervation: Mandibular nerve (V₃).
        Lateral Pterygoid
        The lateral pterygoid muscle has a triangular shape with two heads: superior and inferior. It has horizontally orientated muscle fibres, and thus is the major protractor of the mandible.
        Attachments:
        The superior head originates from the greater wing of the sphenoid.
        The inferior head originates from the lateral pterygoid plate of the sphenoid.
        The two heads converge into a tendon which attaches to the neck of the mandible.
        Actions:
        Bilateral action — protraction of the mandible and depression of the chin.
        Unilateral action — ‘side to side’ movement of the jaw.
        Innervation: Mandibular nerve (V₃).
        Fig 3 — The medial and lateral pterygoids.
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