Introduction
The neck (lat. Collum or cervical as adjective) is the part of the human body that connects the trunk and head. Many organs that begin in the area of the head continue through the neck in the trunk (e.g. gastrointestinal tract with esophagus, respiratory tract with trachea, spine with spinal cord, nerve tracts). The neck also contains some important organs (e.g. thyroid, parathyroid glands).
Bones
The neck gets its bony stability from the spine, which is called cervical spine in the area of the neck. In the cervical region, it consists of seven vertebrae, the first of which is called the atlas and the second the axis. The spinal column is connected to the skull via these first two vertebral bodies. The remaining vertebral bodies lie on top of each other, with intervertebral discs between them. The cervical spine is convex in shape at the front (cervical lordosis).
Muscles on the neck
In the neck there are numerous muscles that allow the head and upper trunk to move. The muscles in the neck are divided into three groups: The superficial muscles of the neck: The platysma, a very thin muscle plate directly connected to the skin and the sternocleidomastoid muscle for the rotation of the head The scalenus group: for the sideways mobility of the cervical spine The pre-representative muscles in the area of the spine: for the sideways movement and flexion of the cervical spine In addition, there are also parts of the chewing and tongue base muscles in the neck.
- The superficial neck muscles: The platysma, a very thin muscle plate directly connected to the skin and the sternocleidomastoid muscle for the rotation of the head
- The Scalenus Group: for lateral mobility of the cervical spine
- The prevertrebral musculature in the spinal column: for lateral movement and flexion of the cervical spine
Blood Vessels
Large blood vessels for the supply of the neck and head also run through the neck region. These include the large carotid artery (Arteria carotis communis) and the large veins that transport the blood from the head to the heart (Vena jugularis).