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Head and Neck Musculature
Muscle Regions of the Body:
Muscle Groups within this Region:
Suboccipital Musculature
Obliquus capitis inferior
| Origin: spinous process of axis (C2) |
| Insertion: transverse process of atlas (C1) |
| Action: rotates the head to the contracted side |
| Blood: muscular branches of vertebral artery |
| Nerve: suboccipital nerve, (dorsal rami C1) |
Obliquus capitis superior
| Origin: transverse process of atlas (C1) |
| Insertion: between superior and inferior nuchal line of occiput |
| Action:
- bilaterally extends the head
- laterally flexes to the contracted side
|
| Blood: muscular branches of vertebral artery |
| Nerve: suboccipital nerve, (dorsal rami C1) |
Rectus capitis posterior
major
| Origin: spinous process of axis (C2) |
| Insertion: inferior nuchal line (lateral to minor) |
| Action:
- bilaterally extends the head
- rotates the head to the contracted side
|
| Blood: muscular branches of vertebral artery |
| Nerve: suboccipital nerve, (dorsal rami C1) |
Rectus capitis posterior
minor
| Origin: posterior tubercle of atlas (C1) |
| Insertion: inferior nuchal line (adjacent to midline) |
| Action: bilaterally extends the head |
| Blood: muscular branches of vertebral artery |
| Nerve: suboccipital nerve, (dorsal rami C1) |
Prevertebral Musculature
Longus colli
| Origin: lower anterior vertebral bodies and transverse processes |
| Insertion: anterior vertebral bodies and transverse processes several segments above |
| Action: flexes the head and neck |
| Blood: muscular branches of the aorta |
| Nerve: ventral rami C2-C6 |
Longus capitis
| Origin: upper anterior vertebral bodies and transverse processes |
| Insertion: anterior vertebral bodies and transverse processes several segments above |
| Action: flexes the head and neck |
| Blood: muscular branches of the aorta |
| Nerve: ventral rami C1-C3 |
Rectus capitis anterior
| Origin: anterior base of the transverse process of the atlas |
| Insertion: occipital bone anterior to foramen magnum |
| Action: flexes the head |
| Blood: muscular branches of the aorta |
| Nerve: ventral rami C2,3 |
Rectus capitis lateralis
| Origin: transverse process of the atlas |
| Insertion: jugular process of the occipital bone |
| Action: bends the head laterally |
| Blood: muscular branches of the aorta |
| Nerve: ventral rami C2,3 |
Anterolateral Neck Musculature
Anterior scalene
Scalenus minimus (may be absent)
Middle scalene
Posterior scalene
Superficial Neck Musculature
Sternocleidomastoid
| Origin: (two heads)
- manubrium of sternum
- medial portion of clavicle
|
| Insertion: mastoid process of temporal bone |
| Action:
- rotates to side opposite of contraction
- laterally flexes to the contracted side
- bilaterally flexes the neck
|
| Blood:
- occipital artery
- superior thyroid artery
|
| Nerve:
- motor: spinal accessory (XI cranial)
- sensory: ventral rami of C2,(C3)
|
Platysma
| Origin: subcutaneous skin over delto-pectoral region |
| Insertion: invests in the skin widely over the mandible |
| Action:
- depress mandible and lower lip
- tenses the skin over the lower neck
|
| Blood: superficial vessels of the neck |
| Nerve: cervical branch of facial nerve (VII cranial) |
Anterior Neck
Sternohyoid
| Origin:
- posterior aspect of manubrium
- sternal end of clavicle
|
| Insertion: body of hyoid |
| Action:
- depresses hyoid & larynx
- acts eccentrically with the suprahyoid muscles to provide them a stable base
|
| Blood:
- inferior thyroid artery (primary)
- superior thyroid artery
|
| Nerve:
- upper portions: superior root of ansa cervicalis, C2
- lower portions: inferior root of ansa cervicalis, C2,3
|
Omohyoid
| Attachments:
- superior belly: hyoid bone (lateral to sternohyoid)
- inferior belly: superior scapular border (medial to suprascapular notch)
|
| both bellies meet at the clavicle & are held to the clavicle by a pulley tendon |
| Action:
- depresses hyoid & larynx
- acts eccentrically with the suprahyoid muscles to provide them a stable base
|
| Blood:
- inferior thyroid artery (primary)
- superior thyroid artery
|
| Nerve:
- upper portions: superior root of ansa cervicalis, C2
- lower portions: inferior root of ansa cervicalis, C2,3
|
Sternothyroid
| Origin: posterior aspect of manubrium |
| Insertion: oblique line of thyroid cartilage |
| Action:
- depresses hyoid & larynx
- acts eccentrically with the suprahyoid muscles to provide them a stable base
|
| Blood:
- inferior thyroid artery (primary)
- superior thyroid artery
|
| Nerve:
- upper portions: superior root of ansa cervicalis, C2
- lower portions: inferior root of ansa cervicalis, C2,3
|
Thyrohyoid
| Origin: oblique line of thyroid cartilage |
| Insertion: body of hyoid |
| Action:
- depresses hyoid
- may assist in larynx elevation
|
| Blood:
- inferior thyroid artery (primary)
- superior thyroid artery
|
| Nerve:
- upper portions: superior root of ansa cervicalis, C2
- lower portions: inferior root of ansa cervicalis, C2,3
|
Stylohyoid
| Origin: styloid process of temporal bone |
| Insertion: lateral margin of hyoid (near greater horn) |
| Action:
- pulls the hyoid superiorly & posteriorly during swallowing
- fixes the hyoid bone for infrahyoid action
|
| Blood: facial & occipital artery |
| Nerve: facial nerve (VII cranial) |
Digastric
| Attachments:
- post belly: mastoid process of temporal bone
- anterior belly: digastric fossa of internal mandible
|
| both bellies meet and attach at the lateral aspect of body of hyoid by a pulley tendon |
| Action:
- open mouth by depressing mandible
- fixes hyoid bone for infrahyoid action
|
| Blood: branches of the external carotid |
| Nerve:
- posterior belly: facial nerve (VII cranial)
- anterior belly: mylohyoid nerve
|
Mylohyoid
| Origin: inner surface of mandible off the mylohyoid line |
| Insertion:
- body of hyoid
- along midline at mylohyoid raphe
|
| Action:
- elevates the hyoid bone
- raises floor of mouth (for swallowing)
- depresses mandible when hyoid is fixed
|
| Blood: lingual artery |
| Nerve: mylohyoid nerve (branch of mandibular division, V3 cranial) |
Geniohyoid
| Origin: inner surface of the mandible off the mental spines |
| Insertion: body of hyoid (paired muscles separated by a septum) |
| Action:
- elevates the tongue
- depress the mandible
- works with mylohyoid
|
| Blood: lingual artery |
| Nerve: branch from C1 (following hypoglossal nerve) |
Epicranial Musculature
Occipitalis (2 bellies)
| Origin:
- lateral 2/3 of superior nuchal line
- external occipital protuberance
|
| Insertion: galea aponeurosis, over the occipital bone |
| Action: draws back the scalp to raise the eyebrows and wrinkle the brow |
| Blood: occipital artery |
| Nerve: posterior auricular branch of facial nerve |
Frontalis (2 bellies)
| Origin: galea aponeurosis, anterior to the vertex |
| Insertion: skin above the nose and eyes |
| Action: draws back the scalp to raise the eyebrows and wrinkle the brow |
| Blood: ophthalmic artery |
| Nerve: temporal branch of facial nerve |
Muscles of Facial Expression
Orbicularis oculi
| Origin:
- orbital portion: nasal process of frontal bone
- palpebral portion: palpebral ligament
- lacrimal portion: lacrimal crest of lacrimal bone
|
| Insertion: circumferentially around orbit meeting in palpebral raphe |
| Action: powerfully closes the eye |
| Blood: ophthalmic artery |
| Nerve: zygomatic branch of facial nerve |
Corrugator supercilii
| Origin: frontal bone just above the nose |
| Insertion: skin of the medial portion of the eyebrows |
| Action: draws the eyebrows downward and medially |
| Blood: ophthalmic artery |
| Nerve: zygomatic branch of facial nerve |
Orbicularis oris
| Origin:
- alveolar border of maxilla
- lateral to midline of mandible
|
| Insertion:
- circumferentially around mouth
- blends with other muscles
|
| Action:
- closes the lips
- protrudes the lips
|
| Blood: facial artery |
| Nerve: buccal branch of facial nerve |
Levator labii
superioris alaeque nasi
| Origin: frontal process of maxilla |
| Insertion:
- upper lip muscles
- nasal cartilage
|
| Action:
- elevates the upper lip
- flares the nostrils
|
| Blood: facial artery |
| Nerve: buccal branch of facial nerve |
Levator labii superioris
| Origin: medial 1/2 of infraorbital margin |
| Insertion: upper lip muscles |
| Action: elevates the upper lip |
| Blood: facial artery |
| Nerve: buccal branch of facial nerve |
Zygomaticus minor
| Origin: zygomatic bone, posterior to maxillary-zygomatic suture |
| Insertion: skin of the upper lip |
| Action: elevates the upper lip |
| Blood: facial artery |
| Nerve: buccal branch of facial nerve |
Zygomaticus major
| Origin: anterior to zygomatic-temporal suture |
| Insertion: modiolus (angle of the mouth) |
| Action: lifts and draws back the angle(s) of the mouth (as in smiling) |
| Blood: facial artery |
| Nerve: buccal branch of facial nerve |
Risorius (may be absent)
| Origin: parotid fascia |
| Insertion: modiolus (angle of the mouth) |
| Action: draws the mouth laterally (as in smiling) |
| Blood: facial artery |
| Nerve: buccal branch of facial nerve |
Levator anguli oris
| Origin: maxilla, inferior to infraorbital foramen |
| Insertion: modiolus (angle of the mouth) |
| Action: lifts the angle(s) of the mouth (as in smiling) |
| Blood: facial artery |
| Nerve: buccal branch of facial nerve |
Buccinator
| Origin:
- posterior alveolar process of maxilla
- posterior alveolar process of mandible
- along the pterygomandibular raphe
|
| Insertion: modiolus |
| Action: compresses the cheek(s) |
| Blood: facial artery |
| Nerve: buccal branch of facial nerve |
Depressor anguli oris
| Origin:
- along the oblique line of mandible
- lateral aspect of mental tubercle of the mandible
|
| Insertion: modiolus |
| Action: lowers the angle(s) of the mouth (as in frowning) |
| Blood: facial artery |
| Nerve: mandibular branch of facial nerve |
Depressor labii inferioris
| Origin:
- mandible, between symphysis and mental foramen
- along oblique line of the mandible
|
| Insertion: skin of the lower lip |
| Action: draws the lower lip downward and laterally |
| Blood: facial artery |
| Nerve: mandibular branch of facial nerve |
Muscles of Mastication
Masseter
| Origin:
| Superficial:
- zygomatic process of the maxilla
- inferior border of zygomatic arch
|
| Intermediate: inner surface of zygomatic arch |
| Deep: posterior aspect of inferior border of zygomatic arch |
|
| Insertion:
| Superficial:
- angle of mandible
- lateral surface of mandibular ramus
|
| Intermediate: ramus of mandible |
| Deep:
- superior ramus of mandible
- coronoid process of mandible
|
|
| Action:
- closes the lower jaw (clenches the teeth)
- may deviate mandible to opposite side of contraction
|
| Blood: masseteric artery |
| Nerve: masseteric nerve |
Medial pterygoid
| Origin:
- medial surface of lateral pterygoid plate of the sphenoid
- palatine bone
- pterygoid fossa
|
| Insertion:
- inner surface of mandibular ramus
- angle of the mandible
|
| Action:
- closes the lower jaw (clenches the teeth)
- can protrude the mandible in combination with the lateral pterygoid
|
| Blood: medial pterygoid artery |
| Nerve: medial pterygoid nerve |
Lateral pterygoid
| Origin:
- Superior head: lateral surface of the greater wing of the sphenoid
- Inferior head: lateral surface of the lateral pterygoid plate
|
| Insert together:
- neck of the mandibular condyle
- articular disk of the TMJ
|
| Action:
- deviates mandible to side opposite of contraction (during chewing)
- opens mouth by protruding mandible (inferior head)
- closes the mandible (superior head)
|
| Blood: lateral pterygoid artery |
| Nerve: lateral pterygoid nerve |
Extraocular Musculature
Levator palpebrae superioris
| Origin: inferior aspect of the lesser wing of sphenoid (adjacent to the common annular
tendon) |
| Insertion:
- medial and lateral walls of the orbit
- superior tarsus
|
| Action: elevates the eyelid |
| Blood: branches of ophthalmic artery |
| Nerve: oculomotor nerve (III cranial) |
Lateral rectus
| Origin:
- common annular tendon (which comes off the body and lesser wing of sphenoid)
- margins of the optic canal
|
| Insert: posterior to the sclerocorneal junction (each muscle inserting along its own
directional axis) |
| Action: abducts eye |
| Blood: branches of ophthalmic artery |
| Nerve: abducens nerve (VI cranial) |
Medial rectus
| Origin:
- common annular tendon (which comes off the body and lesser wing of sphenoid)
- margins of the optic canal
|
| Insert: posterior to the sclerocorneal junction (each muscle inserting along its own
directional axis) |
| Action: adducts eye |
| Blood: branches of ophthalmic artery |
| Nerve: oculomotor nerve (III cranial) |
Superior rectus
| Origin:
- common annular tendon (which comes off the body and lesser wing of sphenoid)
- margins of the optic canal
|
| Insert: posterior to the sclerocorneal junction (each muscle inserting along its own
directional axis) |
| Action:
- elevates
- medially rotates
- adducts the eye
|
| Blood: branches of ophthalmic artery |
| Nerve: oculomotor nerve (III cranial) |
Superior rectus
| Origin:
- common annular tendon (which comes off the body and lesser wing of sphenoid)
- margins of the optic canal
|
| Insert: posterior to the sclerocorneal junction (each muscle inserting along its own
directional axis) |
| Action:
- elevates
- medially rotates
- adducts the eye
|
| Blood: branches of ophthalmic artery |
| Nerve: oculomotor nerve (III cranial) |
Inferior rectus
| Origin:
- common annular tendon (which comes off the body and lesser wing of sphenoid)
- margins of the optic canal
|
| Insert: posterior to the sclerocorneal junction (each muscle inserting along its own
directional axis) |
| Action:
- depress
- laterally rotates
- adducts the eye
|
| Blood: branches of ophthalmic artery |
| Nerve: oculomotor nerve (III cranial) |
Superior oblique
| Origin: body of sphenoid |
| Insert: upper lateral quadrant of the posterior half of the sclera (via the trochlea, as
a pulley) |
| Action:
- depress
- medially rotates
- abducts the eye
|
| Blood: branches of ophthalmic artery |
| Nerve: trochlear nerve (IV cranial) |
Inferior oblique
| Origin: orbital surface of maxilla |
| Insert: lower lateral quadrant of the posterior half of the sclera (via the suspensory
ligament, as a pulley) |
| Action:
- elevates
- laterally rotates
- abducts the eye
|
| Blood: branches of ophthalmic artery |
| Nerve: oculomotor nerve (III cranial) |
|