Muscle guide · Neck
Also called scalene muscles, side neck muscles
The scalenes are three muscles deep on the side of the neck, under the sternocleidomastoid, running from the neck vertebrae down to the first and second ribs.
They lift the top ribs when you breathe hard, bend the neck sideways, and the nerves and artery to the arm pass between two of them.
Source 1
| Part | Starts at | Attaches to | What it does |
|---|---|---|---|
| Anterior scalene | Front side-bumps of the mid-neck vertebrae (C3 to C6) | Top of the first rib | Lifts the first rib; bends the neck |
| Middle scalene | Side-bumps of the lower six neck vertebrae | Top of the first rib, behind the artery groove | Lifts the first rib; bends the neck sideways; the longest |
| Posterior scalene | Side-bumps of the lowest three or four neck vertebrae | Second rib | Lifts the second rib; the smallest |
Source 1
In a neck-pain trial, band-resisted neck strengthening improved side-bending range; it trained the neck muscles together. No study has measured which exercises work it hardest; these load its actions.
Tilt the head away while keeping the shoulder down.
The nerves and blood vessels to the arm pass between the anterior and middle scalenes and over the first rib, where they can be compressed, often worse with the arms overhead. Nerve symptoms (aching, numbness or tingling in the inner forearm and ring and little fingers, a clumsy hand) are far more common than vascular ones. An extra cervical rib or a thick anterior scalene can contribute.
A thickened middle or posterior scalene can press on the nerves to the serratus anterior or rhomboids, weakening them.
They lift the top two ribs when you breathe hard and bend the neck sideways.
Tilt your head away from the side being stretched while keeping that shoulder down.
The nerves to the arm pass between them, and compression there (thoracic outlet syndrome) can cause aching and tingling into the ring and little fingers.
Anatomy and movement education, not a diagnosis or treatment plan. If you have pain that follows an injury, is severe or getting worse, or comes with numbness, weakness or swelling, get it assessed. Health disclaimer.
