Sternocleidomastoid Muscle: Function & Anatomy - Human Body | Kenhub

The sternocleidomastoid muscles is one of the main muscles defining the surface anatomy of your neck. Take this quiz and find how well you know the anterior neck muscles: https://khub.me/dib7d

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The sternocleidomastoid muscle is a two-headed neck muscle. It is innervated by the accessory nerve (cranial nerve XI) and direct branches of the cervical plexus (C1-C2). The muscle lies very superficially so that it is both easily visible and palpable. The sternal head originates from the manubrium sterni, the clavicular head from the middle part of the clavicle. The insertion is the mastoid process of the temporal bone and the superior nuchal line of the occipital bone.

A unilateral contraction of the sternocleidomastoid muscle flexes the cervical vertebral column to the same side called lateral flexion and rotates the head to the opposite side. A bilateral contraction leads to an elevation of the head, otherwise called dorsal extension.

On this video, we will cover the following information related to the sternocleidomastoid muscle:

0:13 overview of the anatomy;
0:35 innervation;
0:44 origins of the sternal and clavicular heads;
0:54 insertion;
1:25 functions.

Want to test your knowledge on anterior neck muscles? Take this quiz: https://khub.me/dib7d

Read more on the anatomy of the sternocleidomastoid muscle on this article that also includes important clinical aspects:
https://khub.me/uhl4k

For more engaging video tutorials, interactive quizzes, articles and an atlas of Human anatomy and histology, go to https://khub.me/1xifa