Longus colli
Musculus longus colli
MuscularDeep musclesWhole bodyLeft and right
View left in 3D View right in 3D
- What it is
- Deep prevertebral muscle lying on the front of the vertebral bodies from the atlas (C1) down to T3, made of vertical, superior oblique and inferior oblique parts.
- Function
- Flexes the cervical spine and resists hyperextension.
- Size
- About 15 cm long, ~1 cm wide and thin.
- Clinical note
- Strained in whiplash injury; calcific tendinitis of longus colli causes sudden painful neck stiffness and pain on swallowing.