Prevertebral Muscle Group

Authors

Affiliations

Nate Yomogida, PT, DPT

Doctor of Physical Therapy

B.S. in Kinesiology

Chloë Kerstein, PT, DPT

Doctor of Physical Therapy

B.A. in Neuroscience

Table 1: Prevertebral muscles

Muscle	Origin	Insertion	Innervation	Action
Anterior Intertransversarii cervicis	C2-C7 Anterior tubercle of superior segment	C2-C7 Anterior tubercle of inferior segment	Spinal nn. (anterior rami)	Bilateral: Cervical extension and stabilization, lumbar extension and stabilization Unilateral: Cervical extension and ipsilateral sidebend, Lumbar extension and ipsilateral sidebend
Anterior scalene	Anterior tubercle of TP of C3-C6	Scalene tubercle of 1st Rib	Anterior Rami C4 - C6	Mobile ribs: Elevates ribs during forced inspiration Fixed ribs (unilateral): I/L C/s sidebend (unilateral) Fixed ribs (bil): C/s flexion, Cervical lateral stabilization
Longus capitis	C3-C6 Anterior tubercle of TP	Occipital bone (basilar part)	Anterior rami C1 - C3	OA Joint: Head flexion
Longus colli cervicis	C5-T3 Anterior surface of vertebral body	C2-C4 Anterior surface	Anterior rami C2 - C6	Unilateral: C/L sidebend, C/L rotation Bilateral: Forward flexion
Middle scalene	C1-C2 TP Posterior tubercle of TP of C3-C7	1st Rib (posterior to groove for subclavian a.)	Anterior Rami C3 - C8	Mobile ribs: Elevates ribs during forced inspiration Fixed ribs (unilateral): I/L C/s sidebend (unilateral) Fixed ribs (bil): C/s flexion, Cervical lateral stabilization
Posterior intertransversarii cervicis	C2-C7 Posterior tubercle of superior segment	C2-C7 Posterior tubercle of superior segment	Spinal nn. (posterior rami)	Bilateral: Cervical extension and stabilization, lumbar extension and stabilization Unilateral: Cervical extension and ipsilateral sidebend, Lumbar extension and ipsilateral sidebend
Posterior scalene	Posterior tubercle of TP of C5-C7	2nd Rib (outer surface)	Anterior Rami C6 - C8	Mobile ribs: Elevates ribs during forced inspiration Fixed ribs (unilateral): I/L C/s sidebend (unilateral) Fixed ribs (bil): C/s flexion, Cervical lateral stabilization
Rectus capitis anterior	C1 Lateral mass	Occipital bone (basilar part)	Anterior rami C1	Unilateral: OAJ ipsilateral sidebend
Rectus capitis lateralis	C1 TP	Occipital bone (basilar part and lateral to occipital condyles)	Anterior rami C1	Unilateral: OAJ ipsilateral sidebend

• Anterior and Posterior Intertransversarii
• Longus colli
• Longus capitis
• Rectus capitis anterior
• Rectus capitis lateralis
• Scalenes
  • Anterior scalene
  • Middle scalene
  • Posterior scalene