Prevertebral / Deep Neck Muscles
Muscle - Anterior scalene
Origin - C3 to C6
Insertion - First Rib
Nerve - Lower cervical (C5 to C6)
Action - Elevates first rib; bends neck
Muscle - Middle scalene
Origin - Transverse processes ofInsertion - Upper surface of first rib
Insertion - C2-C6
Nerve - Ventral rami of the third to eighth cervical spinal nerves
Action - Elevates first rib; bends neck
Muscle - Posterior scalene
Origin - Transverse processes of C4 - C6
Insertion - 2nd rib
Nerve - Lower cervical (C6 to C8)
Action - Elevates second rib; bends neck
Muscle - Longus capitis
Origin - Anterior tubercles of the transverse processes of the third, fourth, fifth, and sixth cervical vertebræ
Insertion - Basilar part of the occipital bone
Nerve - C1-C3/C4
Action - Flexion of neck at atlanto-occipital joint
Muscle - Longus colli
Origin - Transverse processes and bodies of C5 to T3
Insertion - Anterior tubercle of atlas
Nerve - C2 C6
Action - Flexes and rotates neck
Muscle - Rectus capitis anterior
Origin - Lateral mass of atlas
Insertion - Basilar part of occipital bone
Nerve - C1
Action - Flexes and rotates head
Muscle - Rectus capitis lateralis
Origin - Transverse process of atlas
Insertion - Jugular process of occipital bone
Nerve - C1 C2
Action - Flexes head laterally
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