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Sternocleidomastoideus

Contents

Anatomy

Position

  • Superficial

Origin

  • Manubrium sterni
  • Extremitas sternalis clavicula

Insertion

  • Processus mastoideus
  • Linea nuchae superior

Main function

  • Neck
    • Flexion
    • Lateral flexion
    • Contralateral rotation

Secondary function

  • Neck
    • Flexion
  • Sternum
    • Elevation
  • Clavicula
    • Elevation

Segmental nerve innervation

  • C2-C3

Arterial supply

  • Occipital artery
  • Posterior auricular artery

Referred pain pattern

Sternocleidomastoideus - pain pattern, sternal part

Muscle type

  • Postural
    • Shortens when stressed

Symptoms

  • Tension headache
  • Sore throat, dry cough
  • Mimics facial neuralgia
  • Tenderness of scalp
  • Blurred vision/unable to see clearly
  • Visual disturbances, excessive tearing of eye, difficulties raising eyelid
  • Inflamed or congested sinuses
  • Hearing loss
  • Balance disturbances, including postural dizziness, vertigo, ataxia, sudden falls and nausea

Muscular attachments

Anterior view

Posterior view

Videos

Short version

 

Detailed version

Important functions

  • An important postural muscle (during dysfunction it easily responds by becoming hypertonic)

Notes of clinical importance

Myofascial lines

Lateral line

Superficial ventral line