Longus colli
Neck
Deep muscle — it lies under other muscles. X-ray makes the muscles over it see-through.
- Origin
- Superior oblique part: transverse processes of C3 to C5; inferior oblique part: bodies of T1 to T3; vertical part: bodies of C5 to T3
- Insertion
- Superior oblique part: front arch of the atlas (C1); inferior oblique part: transverse processes of C5 and C6; vertical part: bodies of C2 to C4
- Action
- Flexes the neck; the oblique parts also help bend it to the side and rotate it
- Nerve supply
- Anterior rami of the cervical spinal nerves (C2–C6)
A long, thin muscle lying flat on the front of the neck and upper thoracic spine, behind the throat. With the longus capitis it forms the deep neck flexors, which the chin-nod (craniocervical flexion) exercise is designed to train.
Longus colli anatomy page →