Neck muscles
In the front of the neck, two muscle groups attach to the hyoid bone at the top and bottom, thereby stabilizing it. Despite its name, this small bone does not belong to the skull but to the torso skeleton and serves as an attachment point for various muscles of the tongue, neck and larynx. When we swallow or speak, for example, one of these muscles raises the hyoid bone as well as the larynx and also pulls the lower jaw down.
Various other neck muscles ensure that we keep the head, which weighs several kilos, in balance and can shake it back and forth to say no, for example.
Abdominal muscles
In the abdominal region (abdomen), three superimposed layers of muscles, whose fibers run in different directions, protect the organs inside – especially if the muscles are well trained and tight. If the subcutaneous fat layer is then also only thinly developed, men in particular can transform these muscle packages into a “six-pack”.
Back muscles
The back muscles have a very complex structure. Around 150 muscles attach at different points, run in different directions and overlap with each other in many places. Three groups of back muscles are distinguished: Deep, middle and surface muscles.
The deep back muscles are short and strong and connect the individual vertebrae to each other. They give our spine support, enable us to maintain an upright posture and make the back flexible. About 80 percent of all back pain can be traced to neglected deep muscles.
The midsection muscles run from the pelvis through the vertebrae to the head and are the link between the spine and the rib cage. With their help, we can bend forward and straighten up again.
The surface musculature lies directly under the skin. They connect the vertebral bodies with the shoulders and hips and coordinate the movements of the arms, legs and spine.
Injuries to the muscles of the neck and trunk
The following injuries and diseases, for example, can occur in the area of the neck, back and abdominal muscles:
- Tension
- “Lumbago.”
Symptoms in the area of the neck and trunk musculature
Symptoms in the area of the neck and trunk muscles include:
- Back pain
- Muscle pain
- Paralysis
- Sensory disturbances
Anatomy of the trunk muscles
For more information on the structure of the back and abdominal muscles, click here.
