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AnatomyHead and neckNeckLongus capitis muscle
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AnatomyHead and neckNeckLongus capitis muscle

Longus capitis muscle

Author: Roberto Grujičić, MD • Reviewer: Nicola McLaren, MSc
Last reviewed: December 05, 2022
Reading time: 4 minutes

Recommended video: Muscles of the anterior neck [20:57]
Overview of the muscles that define the anterior neck.
Longus capitis muscle (musculus capitis longus)

Longus capitis is a deep anterior neck muscle that runs in front of the cervical spine. Together with rectus capitis anterior, rectus capitis lateralis, longus cervicis and anterior scalene muscle, it makes the prevertebral layer of neck muscles. These muscles are wrapped up in the prevertebral layer of the cervical fascia.

Bilateral contraction of longus capitis muscle flexes both head and neck, while the unilateral contraction causes the ipsilateral head rotation.

In this article, we will discuss the anatomy and function of the longus capitis muscle.

Key facts about the longus capitis muscle
Origin Anterior tubercles of transverse processes of C3-C6
Insertion Basilar part of occipital bone
Action Bilateral contraction - head flexion;
Unilateral contraction - head rotation (ipsilateral)
Innervation Anterior rami of spinal nerves C1-C3
Blood supply Ascending cervical artery and the inferior thyroid artery
Contents
  1. Origin and insertion
  2. Relations 
  3. Innervation
  4. Blood supply
  5. Function
  6. Sources
+ Show all

Origin and insertion

Anterior tubercles of transverse processes of C3-C6
Tuberculae anteriores processuum transversorum vertebrarum C3-C6
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Synonyms: Anterior tubercles of transverse processes of 3rd-6th cervical vertebrae, Tuberculae anteriores processuum transversorum vertebrarum cervicalium 3-6

Longus capitis is a long flat muscle of the anterior neck. It runs up the length of the cervical spine, adjacent to the vertebral bodies. 

Longus capitis muscle originates from its inferior aspect, as four small muscle straps that run from the anterior tubercles of transverse processes of the third, fourth, fifth and sixth cervical vertebrae. From these straps, the muscle fibers run superomedially, converging into a single broad muscle belly. The muscle has one insertion on the basilar part of occipital bone, anterior to the insertion of the rectus capitis anterior muscle and lateral to the pharyngeal tubercle.

Relations 

Longus capitis muscle
Musculus longus capitis
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Synonyms: none

Longus capitis is the most superficial muscle of the prevertebral muscle group. Its superior aspect lies in front of the rectus capitis anterior muscle, while the inferior part slightly covers the longus cervicis muscle. The retropharyngeal lymph nodes are located on the lateral border of the longus capitis muscle. The anterior vertebral vein and the adjacent ascending cervical artery, pass through the interval between the attachments of scalenus anterior muscle and longus capitis muscle. 

Together with the other prevertebral muscles, the cervical spine is covered in a tubular sheath made of the prevertebral layer of cervical fascia that extends from the base of the skull to the body of the third thoracic vertebra.

Innervation

The longus capitis muscle is innervated by anterior rami of the spinal nerves C1-C3 and occasionally C4, that are the branches of the cervical plexus. 

Blood supply

Longus capitis is supplied from the muscular branches of the ascending cervical artery and the inferior thyroid artery. Venous blood is drained by the vertebral vein which arises in the suboccipital triangle from numerous muscle branches from the internal vertebral venous plexuses.

Anterior rami of spinal nerves C1-C3
Rami anteriores nervorum spinalium C1-C3
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Synonyms: Anterior rami of 1st-3rd cervical nerves, Ventral rami of spinal nerves C1-C3 , show more...

Function

Flexion of neck
Flexio colli
Synonyms: Flexio cervicis

Working synergistically with the other prevertebral muscles and sternocleidomastoid muscle, the longus capitis muscle acts as a weak flexor of the head and cervical spine. The prevertebral muscles are the most important antagonists of the extensors of the head (e.g. trapezius muscle and levator scapulae muscle), thus have an important role in stabilization of the cervical spine. When the head is in an extended position, longus capitis’ flexion action brings the head back into a neutral position. 

To expand your knowledge, test yourself with our learning materials about the main muscles of the head and neck. 

Main muscles of the head and neck Explore study unit

Sources

All content published on Kenhub is reviewed by medical and anatomy experts. The information we provide is grounded on academic literature and peer-reviewed research. Kenhub does not provide medical advice. You can learn more about our content creation and review standards by reading our content quality guidelines.

References:

  • Moore, K. L., Dalley, A. F., & Agur, A. M. R. (2014). Clinically Oriented Anatomy (7th ed.). Philadelphia, PA: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.
  • Palastanga, N., & Soames, R. (2012). Anatomy and human movement: structure and function (6th ed.). Edinburgh: Churchill Livingstone.
  • Standring, S. (2016). Gray's Anatomy (41st ed.). Edinburgh: Elsevier Churchill Livingstone.
  • Netter, F. (2014). Atlas of Human Anatomy (6th ed.). Philadelphia, PA: Saunders.

Layout:

  • Jana Vaskovic

Illustrations:

  • Longus capitis muscle (musculus capitis longus) - Yousun Koh

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