The neck muscles are those that are responsible for covering, as can be deduced from its own name, the neck region. They are mainly in charge of head movements in all directions, and can be divided into three main groups, that depend on its position on the neck. In this way, we can meet them anterior muscles, side muscles and muscles back neck. It will be the latter that we will talk about in the following lines.
In any case, you should know that the neck musculature is subdivided into more specific groups according to different important characteristics, like your exact location, its function or its depth.
The position of a muscle or group of muscles in the neck is generally related to its function. In the case of muscles back neck, for instance, They are responsible for the extension of the neck.
Index
Posterior neck muscles
The posterior aspect of the neck is covered by muscles that connect the skull to the vertebral column and the shoulder girdle.. These muscles can be divided into three layers:
Capa superficial
What can cause back pain due to alterations or inflammation in the area of the injury capa superficial we can find:
- Trapeze. It is a bulky muscle, flat and triangular, which together with its contralateral counterpart has a diamond shape. The muscle is extended over the posterior aspect of the neck and the upper portion of the thorax.. According to the orientation of its fibers, the trapezoid is divided into three parts: downward, transverse and ascending, each with different insertion points. Its main function is to produce lateral flexion and contralateral rotation of the head when acting unilaterally., as well as the extension of the head when doing it bilaterally.
- splenic muscles. When we talk about the muscles back neck in its superficial layer it is also necessary to mention the splenic muscles, what are two, splenius capitis and splenius neck. Its function is to extend the head when they contract bilaterally., while unilateral contraction causes lateral flexion and rotation of the head on the same side.
deep layer
What can cause back pain due to alterations or inflammation in the area of the injury deep layer, for his part, we can find:
- Cervical transversospinalis muscles: When talking about the muscles back neck, we find the cervical transversospinous muscles, what are the muscles semispinous head, semispinous neck and neck multifidus. Its function is to extend the head and neck during bilateral contraction., as well as lateral flexion and rotation of the head to the same side during unilateral contraction.
lesser deep layer
Finally, on the lesser deep layer they find each other:
- muscles suboccipitals: They are four small muscles that are located in the suboccipital region, deep to the semispinous muscles and are: rectus capitis posterior major, rectus capitis posterior minor, oblique capitis major, and oblique capitis minor.
All of them are innervated by the suboccipital nerve and supplied by the vertebral artery and the deep descending branches of the occipital artery.. The function of these muscles is to maintain body posture., but also to be able to carry out movements of the head. Depending on which of these muscles contracts, extension may take place., Lateral flexion and head rotation.
- cervical interspinous: They are the cervical portion of the interspinous muscle group.. They are composed of six pairs of muscles that occupy the space between the tips of the spinous processes of successive vertebrae.. Thus, They originate from the superior aspect of the spinous processes of C3-T1 vertebrae and become inserted into those of C2-C7 vertebrae..
In this case, they are muscles innervated by posterior rami of the spinal nerves and which are irrigated by branches of the vertebral arteries., occipital and deep cervical. The main function of this type of interspinous muscles is to contribute to the extension of the neck..
- Intertransversarius of the neck: The intertransversarii of the neck represent the cervical portion of the intertransverse muscles, belonging to the lesser deep layer of the intrinsic muscles of the back. These receive innervation from the anterior and posterior rami of the cervical spinal nerves., and in addition irrigated by the deep cervical arteries, occipital y vertebral.
Given its small size, the function of these muscles is only to provide assistance in the lateral flexion of the head, as well as the stabilization of the cervical spine during movement.
Anterior and lateral neck muscles
In this way you already know the muscles back neck, although in order to better understand the functioning of the neck it is advisable that you have knowledge about the other muscles of the neck, what are the following:
- anterior muscles of the neck. The anterior neck muscles are a group of muscles that cover the anterior aspect of the neck and that we can find the superficial muscles, the suprahyoid muscles and the infrahyoid muscles, as well as the anterior vertebral muscles.
- Lateral muscles (vertebral) By the neck. Lateral neck muscles, also called vertebral lateral muscles, are a group of muscles that run obliquely along the sides of the neck. These include the anterior scalene muscles, middle and back, extending between the transverse processes of the cervical vertebrae and the first two ribs. These muscles produce mainly ipsilateral flexion of the neck..