This document discusses the muscles of the neck. It begins by describing the neck bones and joints that allow head movement. It then details several neck muscles including their origin, insertion, and function in extending, flexing, and rotating the head. Examples provided are the splenius capitis, semispinalis capitis, and trapezius. Common neck issues like injuries from whiplash and symptoms of pain are explained. Finally, exercises are outlined to treat conditions like forward head posture and neck strains.

1. B Y
H O S S E I N K H O R R A M I P h D D O M P
NECK MUSCLES
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2. Neck Bones

3. Joints
• Atlanto-occipital joint
• Allow head to nod up/down
• Atlanto-axial joint
• Allow head rotate on the axis side to side

5. Cervical Rib
Less than 1%

6. Neck Muscles

7. Neck Muscles

8. Splenius Capitis
• Origin:
• C3-T3
• Insertion:
• Occipital bone
• Mastoid process
• Function
• Head & neck extension
• Lat flexion
Same side head rotation
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=unDACOZpBpI

9. Splenius Cervicis
• Origin:
• Spinous process of T3-T6
• Insertion:
• Transvers process of C1-C3
• Function
• Head & neck extension
& hyperextension
• Lat flexion
Same side head rotation

11. Semispinalis Capitis
• Origin
• Articular process of C4-C6
• Transverse process of C7-T6
• Insertion
• Occepital bone
• Function
• Ext & hyperext of the head and
neck
• Head & neck rotation to the
opposite side

15. Semispinalis Cervicis
• Origin
• Transverse process of T1-T6
• Insertion
• Spinous process C2-C5
• Function
• Ext of the head and neck
• Head & neck rotation to the
opposite side
• Laterally flex neck

17. Semispinalis Capitis
• Origin
• Articular process of C4-C6
• Transverse process of C7-T6
• Insertion
• Occepital bone
• Function
• Ext & hyperext of the head and
neck
• Head & neck rotation to the
opposite side

19. Semispinalis Cervicis
• Origin
• Transverse process of T1-T6
• Insertion
• Spinous process C2-C5
• Function
• Ext of the head and neck
• Head & neck rotation to the
opposite side
• Laterally flex neck

20. Semispinalis Thoracis
• Origin
• Transverse process of T6-T10/12
• Insertion
• Spinous process C6-C7 & T1-T4
• Function
• Ext of the neck thoracic vertebrae
• Neck & thoracic rotation to the opposite
side
• Laterally flex neck & thoracic vertebrae

21. Rectus Capitis Posterior Minor
• Origin
• Posterior tubercle of atlas (C1)
• Insertion
• Occipital bone
• Function
• Head extension
• Control infolding movement of dura
• Proprioception

22. Rectus Capitis Posterior Major
• Origin
• Spinous process of axis(C2)
• Insertion
• Occipital bone
• Function
• Head extension
• Head rotation to the same side

23. Obliquus Capitis Superior
• Origin
• Transverse process of atlas(C1)
• Insertion
• Occipital bone
• Function
• Head extension
• Head rotation to the same side
• Lateral head flexion, same side

24. Obliquus Capitis Inferior
• Origin
• Spinous process of axis(C2)
• Insertion
• Transverse process of atlas(C1)
• Function
• Head rotation to the same side

25. Neck Muscles
• Sterno-Cleido-Mastoid: flexion, side flexion, opposite
rotation
• Splenius: extension
• Scalene: thorax elevation
• Levator scapulae

27. Neck Movements
Movement Muscle
Flexion R+L SCM(ant fibers)
Extension Splenius cervicus & capitis +
semispinalis+trapezius+SCM(post fibers)
Side flexion, R & L SCM
Rotation, R & L SCM+ splenius+trapezius
Stabilization Trapezius & all other muscles

28. Neck & Shoulder, Levator Scapulae
• Neck stabilize

29. TRAPEZIUS MUSCLE
• Origin
• Occipital bone
• Spinous process of C7-
T12
• Insertion
• Lateral clavicle
• Acromion
• Spine of scapula
• Innervation
C3-C4 & XI( accessory nerve)

30. Trapezius, functions
• Elevation of scapula
• Retraction(adduct) scapula
• Upwardly rotate scapula
• Depress scapula
• Neck extension

31. Vertebral Pain
• Disc problem
• Treatment choice:
• LASER + Traction
• ultrasound
• Isometric exercises
• Facet joint problem
• Disc problem+ Facet Joint: 99% of all back pains

32. Neck Injuries
• Arthritis
• MVA, whiplash
• Bone spurs
• Cervical spondylosis
• Osteoporosis
• Pinched nerves
• Spinal stenosis

33. Symptoms Of Neck Pain
• Headaches
• Numbness, weakness, in neck, arm, hands or fingers
• Pain in neck, shoulder, arms or hands
• Reduced ROM in neck
• Walking problem, spastic gait

34. RA Symptoms
• Pain,
• Morning stiffness
• Swelling
• Decreased ROM
• Increase pain with ADLs(tying shoes, opening jar,
buttoning shirt…)
• Fatigue
• Occasional fever
• Decrease ability to grasp
 Activities of Daily Living(ADL)

35. Head Forward Posture
• Headache
• Irritation of upper cervical facet joint
• Tight levator scapula
• Rounded shoulder+head forward

36. Head Forward, Exercises
• chin tuck
• Standing
• Supine
• Prone
• Hold 5sec, 5times/hr
• Shoulder retraction, using theraband
• strengthening of sup. Trap & ser. ant

38. Facet Joint pain( Spinal Osteoarthritis)
• Joint structures that connect the vertebrae to one
another

39. Facet Joint, Causes
• Cartilage in the joints
• Arthritis of the spine
• Work
• Over-use
• Accident
• Spondylolithesis

40. Degenerative Joint Disease(DJD)
• Both side facet joint problem
• Mostly happens in elder people
• Osteo-Arthritis history
• Treatment:
• Chin tuck
• Isometric exercises

41. Whiplash
• Neck pain following an injury to the soft tissue of the
neck, such as ligaments, tendons & muscles
• Usually caused by MVA or a sudden motion of the neck
beyond normal ROM

43. Sprain & Whiplash In Neck, symptoms
• Neck pain, referred pain to upper trapezius & deltoid
• Neck stiffness
• Ringing in ear
• Dizziness
• Blurred vision
• Concentration or memory problems
• Irritability
• Difficulty in swallowing
• Sleeplessness
• Tiredness
• Fatigue or weakness
• Nausea
• Vertigo

44. Whiplash Treatment
• First 2 wks:
• RICE
• Active ROM but pain free
• Collar
• After 2nd wk:
• Active assistive pain free ROM
• Pain free isometric exercises
• Scapula movement active pain free
• After 6 wk:
• Stretching exercises pain free
• Chin tuck
• Gentle strengthening exercise
• After 4mnth:
• Isometric exercise
• Strengthening exercise

45. Neck Rotations
• Sit with head facing forward.
• Keeping back straight, slowly turn head to the right until
pain, stiffness, or end of motion occurs.
• Do not go past the point of pain
• Now slowly turn the head to the left
• Do 1-3 sets of 10 repetitions
• Attempt to go further with each repetition as your pain
and motion improve
• Do not let head tilt or chin drop while rotating the head
• Do exercise in supine and prone positions

46. Neck Exercises
• Chin tuck
• Sideward isometric strengthening
• Forward isometric strengthening
• Backward isometric strengthening
• Stretching exercises

47. NECK STRETCH
• Stretch your neck with pulling head to the hand’s side
• Hold for 15sec
• Do it for both sides

48. NECK STRETCH
• Pull down your head using both hands, GENTLY
• Hold for 15sec

49. Chin Tucks
• Sit with head facing forward.
• Place your index finger and middle finger on the chin and
guide head into a “double chin” position
• The motion should be directed straight back and should
be continued to look straight ahead
• Hold this position for up to 10 seconds
• Do 1-3 sets of 10 repetitions
• Do not let head tilt up or down during the exercise

51. Vertebral bones
• Cervical, 7
• Thoracic, 12
• Lumbar, 5
• Sacral, 5 fused
• Coccygeal, 4 fused

52. • Four facet joints on
each vertebrae

53. Thoracic Back Pain Causes
• Soft tissue
• Poor posture,
• back pack
• Prolonged sitting at a computer
• Overuse injuries