Scalenus posterior muscle
Citation, DOI, disclosures and article data
Citation:
V, Bell D, Hacking C, et al. Scalenus posterior muscle. Reference article, Radiopaedia.org (Accessed on 13 Mar 2025) https://radiopaedia.org/articles/12653
DOI:
-
rID:
12653
Article created:
28 Dec 2010,
Vijay
Disclosures:
At the time the article was created Vijay had no recorded disclosures.
View Vijay's current disclosures
Last revised:
Disclosures:
At the time the article was last revised Daniel J Bell had no financial relationships to ineligible companies to disclose.
View Daniel J Bell's current disclosures
Revisions:
9 times, by
6 contributors -
see full revision history and disclosures
Systems:
Sections:
Synonyms:
- Posterior scalene muscle
The scalenus posterior (posterior scalene) is one of the three scalene muscles in the neck.
Summary
- origin: transverse processes of lower two or three cervical vertebrae (C5-C7)
- insertion: outer surface of second rib
-
action:
- raises second rib (respiratory inspiration)
- acting together: neck flexion
- acting on one side: lateral neck flexion and rotation
- nerve supply: ventral rami of cervical nerves C6-C8 from the cervical plexus
Gross anatomy
Relations
- anteriorly: first rib
- posteriorly: second rib
- medially: pleural dome (at level of T1/T2)
- laterally: upper digitation of serratus anterior muscle
Quiz questions
References
- 1. Stone RJ, Stone JA. Atlas of skeletal muscles. McGraw-Hill Companies. (2003) ISBN:0071199012. Read it at Google Books - Find it at Amazon
- 2. Last's anatomy, regional and applied. Churchill Livingstone. ISBN:044304662X. Read it at Google Books - Find it at Amazon
- 3. Moore KL, Agur AMR, Dalley AF. Clinically oriented anatomy. LWW. ISBN:1451119453. Read it at Google Books - Find it at Amazon
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Multiple choice questions:
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