Longus colli

The longus colli (Latin: musculus longus colli) is a long and thin paired deep muscle of the neck. It stretches anterior to the vertebral column between the atlas and thoracic vertebrae. The longus colli is one of the prevertebral muscles covered by the prevertebral layer of the cervical fascia. It also belongs to the anterior neck muscles. The longus colli provides the flexion and rotation of the neck. This muscle is composed of three parts - superior (upper) oblique, vertical intermediate (central) and inferior (lower) oblique. All parts have different origin and insertion sites.

Origin

The superior oblique part of the longus colli muscle originates from the anterior tubercles of the transverse processes of the 3rd to 5th cervical vertebrae (C3 - C5), the vertical intermediate part from the anterior surfaces of the bodies of the 5th cervical vertebra to the 3rd thoracic vertebra (C5 - T3), and the inferior oblique part originates from the anterior surfaces of the bodies of the 1st to 3rd thoracic vertebrae (T1 - T3).

Insertion

The superior oblique part of the longus colli inserts on the anterior tubercle of the atlas (C1), the vertical intermediate part on the anterior surfaces of the bodies of the 2nd to 4th cervical vertebrae (C2 - C4), and the inferior oblique part inserts on the anterior tubercles of the transverse processes of the 5th to 6th cervical vertebrae (C5 - C6).

Action

By contracting on both sides, the longus colli muscle flexes the neck. By contracting on one side, it provides the lateral flexion of the neck (ipsilateral) and neck rotation (contralateral).

Innervation

The longus colli is innervated by the branches of the anterior rami of the 2nd to 6th cervical spinal nerves (C2 - C6).

Blood supply

The longus colli muscle receives arterial blood supply from the branches of the ascending pharyngeal, vertebral and inferior thyroid arteries.