15.9
Músculos que mueven la cabeza
Los músculos que mueven la cabeza son un grupo dinámico y complejo de estructuras que trabajan juntas para facilitar una amplia gama de movimientos de…
Múltiples músculos del cuello ayudan a equilibrar la cabeza y facilitan su movimiento en la articulación atlanto-occipital.
Por ejemplo, el esternocleidomastoideo bilateral, o SCM, es un flexor de la cabeza importante junto con los músculos suprahioides e infrahioides.
Sus vientres se originan en el esternón y la clavícula y se insertan en la apófisis mastoidea del hueso temporal.
Cuando el SCM se contrae bilateralmente, ayuda a inclinar la cabeza hacia adelante. Por el contrario, la contracción unilateral facilita la flexión lateral en el mismo lado o la rotación de la cabeza hacia el lado opuesto.
Los músculos laterales del cuello (los escalenos anterior, medio y posterior) corren en diagonal a lo largo de la columna vertebral.
Conectan las vértebras cervicales con las dos costillas superiores y también facilitan la flexión lateral.
El esplenio de la cabeza, un músculo posterior del cuello, se origina en el ligamento nucal y las apófisis espinosas C7 a T3 y se inserta en los huesos occipital y temporal.
Cuando se contrae bilateralmente, ayuda a la extensión de la cabeza, mientras que la contracción unilateral ayuda a la flexión lateral y la rotación hacia el mismo lado.
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Q1: What is the sternocleidomastoid muscle and what movements does it control?
The sternocleidomastoid (SCM) is a major head flexor originating at the sternum and clavicle and inserting into the mastoid process of the temporal bone. Bilateral contraction bends the head forward, while unilateral contraction causes lateral flexion on the same side or head rotation to the opposite side.
Q2: How do the scalene muscles contribute to head and neck movement?
The anterior, middle, and posterior scalenes run diagonally along the vertebral column, connecting cervical vertebrae to the upper two ribs. These lateral neck muscles facilitate lateral flexion and work with other structures to support diverse head movements, stabilization, and coordinated neck function.
Q3: What is the role of the splenius capitis in head movement?
The splenius capitis originates from the nuchal ligament and C7 to T3 spinous processes, inserting onto the occipital and temporal bones. Bilateral contraction aids head extension, whereas unilateral contraction assists lateral flexion and rotation to the same side, enabling diverse directional movements.
Q4: What are the three layers of posterior neck muscles and their functions?
The superficial layer includes the trapezius and splenius muscles, controlling shoulder and head extension. The middle layer contains cervical transversospinalis muscles like semispinalis capitis, extending and rotating the head. The deepest layer includes suboccipital muscles providing fine motor control and proprioception for precise head positioning.
Q5: How do suboccipital muscles differ from other neck muscles in function?
Suboccipital muscles, located just below the occipital bone, are crucial for fine motor control and proprioception—the sense of self-movement and body position. Unlike larger neck muscles that produce major movements, suboccipitals make minor adjustments to head position and coordinate spatial awareness during complex head movements.
Q6: What is the relationship between the suprahyoid and infrahyoid muscles and head movement?
The suprahyoid and infrahyoid muscles are significant head flexors that work alongside the sternocleidomastoid to facilitate forward head bending. These muscles support muscle coordination and action by stabilizing the hyoid bone and enabling smooth, controlled flexion movements of the head.
Q7: How do bilateral versus unilateral muscle contractions produce different head movements?
Bilateral contraction of muscles like the SCM or splenius capitis produces forward extension or head bending. Unilateral contraction of the same muscles causes lateral flexion toward the contracting side or rotation to the opposite side, allowing precise directional control of head position.