Muscles of the anterior neck (Latin)

The upper image shows the m. platysma. This sheet-like muscle lies most superficially within the subcutaneous tissue (tela subcutanea) and covers all of the anterior aspect of the neck. The lower image shows all other anterior neck muscles that are situated deep to the platysma. The m. sternocleidomastoideus is a two-headed muscle and can be prominently seen and palpated along the lateral sides of the neck creating a ‘V-shape’. The mm. suprahyoidei (m. digastricus, m. mylohyoideus, m. geniohyoideus and m. stylohyoideus) and mm. infrahyoidei (m. sternohyoideus, m. omohyoideus, m. sternothyroideus and m. thyrohyoideus) position the hyoid bone, thus playing an active role in swallowing and the movement of the larynx. The mm. scaleni (m. scalenus anterior, m. scalenus medius and m. scalenus posterior) attach to the upper two ribs (costae), making them accessory muscles of respiration. The mm. prevertebrales (m. rectus capitis anterior, m. rectus capitis lateralis, m. longus capitis and m. longus colli) are located along the length of the anterior cervical spine and surrounded by the prevertebral fascia of the neck. These muscles help with the flexion of the head to varying degrees.