Scalenus medius muscle

Last revised by Daniel J Bell on 22 Jul 2022

The scalenus medius (middle scalene) muscle is one of the three scalene muscles in the neck.

Summary

  • origin: transverse processes of lower six cervical vertebrae (C2-C7)
  • insertion: upper surface of first rib
  • action (similar to scalenus anterior muscle)
    • raises first rib (respiratory inspiration)
    • acting bilaterally: neck flexion
    • acting unilaterally: lateral neck flexion and rotation
  • nerve supply: ventral rami of cervical nerves C3-C8 from the cervical plexus

Gross anatomy

Relations

Cases and figures

  • Figure 1: nerve to scalenes and levator scapulae
  • Figure 2: cervical plexus labeled
  • Figure 3: deep neck muscles (Gray's illustration)
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