GROSS ANATOMY OF THE NECK

BY
K. E OBETEN
ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR
• Proficiency in anatomy is of great importance for healthcare professionals
and medical students

• A proper knowledge of anatomy facilitates a comprehensive understanding

of the structure and functions of the body and how it responds to different
stimuli.

• It is also important for diagnosing and treating medical conditions, as well

as for designing and developing medical devices and treatments.

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 THE NECK
• The neck is a small region in the body with very important anatomical features.
• It is an area between the base of the skull and the clavicles
• many structures of great importance are housed or passess through the neck
• these include:
• cervical vertebrae
• jugular vein
• carotid artery
• vocal cord
• SCM
• Hyoid musces (infra & supra)
• trapezius etc
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 Muscles of the neck
• The muscles of the neck can be divided into several groups based on
their location and function.
• The superficial muscles of the neck are located just beneath the skin
and include the platysma and the sternocleidomastoid, which runs
from the sternum and clavicle to the mastoid process of the temporal
bone.
• These muscles are responsible for moving the head and neck and for
creating facial expressions.

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 Infrahyoid Muscles
• The infrahyoid muscles, or strap muscles, are a group of four pairs of
muscles in the anterior (frontal) part of the neck just below the hyoid
bone.
• The four infrahyoid muscles are the sternohyoid, sternothyroid,
thyrohyoid and omohyoid muscles.
• They are responsible for depressing the hyoid bone and larynx, which
helps to open the airway and facilitate swallowing.

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 Sternohyoid muscle
• The sternohyoid muscle, it is a flat muscle located on both sides of the
neck.
• This muscle originated from the medial edge of the clavicle bone,
sternoclavicular ligament, and posterior side of the manubrium then
ascends the neck and attaches to the body of the hyoid bone.
• Vascular supply to sternohyoid comes from the superior thyroid artery
(a branch of the external carotid artery), while the venous blood is
conveyed by the superior thyroid vein.
• It is innervated by the ansa cervicalis nerve.

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 Sternohyoid muscle

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 Omohyoid
• The omohyoid is a thin, paired muscle located in the anterior region of
the neck.
• It originates from the scapula, a bone that forms the shoulder joint, and
inserts onto the hyoid bone, a small bone located in the midline of the
neck.
• The omohyoid muscle is innervated by the ansa cervicalis, a nerve that
arises from the cervical plexus, a network of nerves that supply the
neck region.

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 Thyrohyoid
• The thyrohyoid muscle is a small, triangular muscle that runs from the
thyroid cartilage to the hyoid bone which is a small bone located at the
base of the tongue.
• The thyrohyoid muscle is innervated by the ansa cervicalis, which is a
nerve that arises from the cervical plexus. It receives blood supply
from the superior thyroid artery.
• Weakness or paralysis of the thyrohyoid muscle can lead to difficulty
in swallowing and speaking.

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 Sternothyroid
• The sternothyroid muscle is a thin, strap-like muscle located in the anterior
region of the neck.
• It originates from the posterior surface of the sternum and inserts into the
thyroid cartilage.
• The sternothyroid muscle is innervated by the ansa cervicalis, which is a
branch of the cervical plexus.
• This nerve provides motor innervation to the sternothyroid muscle,
allowing it to contract and relax.

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SUPRA-HYOID MUSCLES

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 Suprahyoid
• The suprahyoid muscles are a group of muscles located in the
neck that work together to elevate the hyoid bone, which is a
small bone in the midline of the neck that supports the tongue
and other structures.
• The suprahyoid muscles include the geniohyoid, mylohyoid,
digastric, and stylohyoid muscles.

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 Suprahyoid

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 Mylohyoid
• The mylohyoid muscle is a thin, paired muscle that forms the floor of
the oral cavity.
• It originates from the inner aspect of the mandible and inserts onto the
hyoid bone. It acts to elevate the hyoid bone and depress the mandible.
• Damage to the mylohyoid muscle can lead to difficulty swallowing,
speaking, and maintaining the patency of the airway.
• The mylohyoid muscle is innervated by the mandibular nerve, a
branch of the trigeminal nerve.

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 Digastric
• The digastric muscle is a paired muscle that has two bellies,
one anterior and one posterior.
• The anterior belly originates from the mandible and the
posterior belly originates from the mastoid process of the
temporal bone.
• The digastric muscle acts to elevate the hyoid bone and
depress the mandible.

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 Stylohyoid
• The stylohyoid muscle is a small, paired muscle that originates from
the styloid process of the temporal bone and inserts onto the hyoid
bone.
• The stylohyoid muscle connects the hyoid bone to the base of the
skull, and it pulls the hyoid bone upward and backward, resulting in
elevation of the base of the tongue and elongation of the floor of the
mouth.
• This movement helps in deglutition and this muscle functions in
association with other suprahyoid muscles.

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 Geniohyoid
• The geniohyoid muscle is a small, paired muscle located in the floor of
the mouth.
• It originates from the mandibular symphysis, the bony prominence at
the midline of the lower jaw, and inserts onto the body of the hyoid
bone, a small bone located in the midline of the neck.
• The geniohyoid muscle also plays a role in maintaining the airway
open during sleep.

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 Sternocleidomastoid muscle
• The sternocleidomastoid muscle (SCM) is a paired muscle located on either
side of the neck. It is one of the most superficial muscles of the neck, and is
responsible for several important movements, including:
• Flexion of the neck: The SCM contracts to bring the chin towards the chest.
• Rotation of the neck: The SCM contracts on one side of the neck to rotate
the head to the opposite side.
• Lateral flexion of the neck: The SCM contracts on one side of the neck to
bend the head to the same side.
• The SCM originates from the sternum and clavicle, and inserts into the
mastoid process of the temporal bone. It is innervated by the accessory nerve
(cranial nerve XI).
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• The blood supply to the SCM are occipital artery, the superior thyroid
artery, and the ascending cervical artery.
• These arteries anastomose with each other to form a network of blood
vessels that supply the SCM.
• This network of blood vessels ensures that the SCM receives a constant
supply of oxygen and nutrients, which is essential for its proper function.

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