Contents
Anatomy
General information
- This section is strictly limited to anatomy, you might be looking for clinical relevant information which is found under the clinical chapters -- muscles section, click here to go to that page
Position
- Superficiial
Origin
- Manubrium sterni
- Extremitas sternalis clavicula
Insertion
- Processus mastoideus
- Linea nuchae superior
Main function
- Neck
- Flexion
- Lateral flexion
- Contralateral rotation
Secondary function
- Neck
- Extension
- Sternum
- Elevation
- Clavicula
- Elevation
Nerve innervation
- C2-C3
Arterial supply
- Occipital artery
- Posterior auricular artery
Palpation
- Patient position
- Sitting
- The patient is asked to rotate the head to the side
- Stand on the opposite side of the direction the patient has rotated the head
- Palpate anterolateral on the patient's throat
- Place your other hand on the side of the patient's head (same side as you are standing) and give resistance
- Feel for contraction of the muscle while the patient gives counterforce
Strength test
- Patient position
- Supine
- This test does not isolate the sternocleidomastoideus, but also tests the scaleni muscles
- Ask the patient to place the arms out to the side of the body in a 90° abduction and with the arms in a lateral rotation, as well as the elbow bent to 90°
- The arms should be resting on the bench
- Place a hand on the temporal region ipisilateral to the side being tested and give resistance in a oblique posterior direction so that the patient is giving force towards anterolateral neck flexion