Where are the Scalenes located
Nathan Sanders
Published Mar 29, 2026
The scalene muscles are located deep in relation to the sternocleidomastoid muscle
How do you loosen tight Scalenes?
Place your hands overlapping on your breastbone. Tilt your head upward and away from the affected side until a gentle stretch is felt along the front and side of your neck.
What are the Scalenes?
Scalene are a group of three pairs of muscles in the lateral neck: scalenus anterior, scalenus medius and scalenus posterior. Sometimes a fourth muscle, the scalenus minimus is present behind the lower portion of the scalenus anterior.
Why are some neck muscles called Scalenes?
The anterior and middle scalene muscles lift the first rib and bend the neck to the same side; the posterior scalene lifts the second rib and tilts the neck to the same side. The muscles are named from Ancient Greek σκαληνός (skalenos) ‘uneven’.Where is the posterior scalene?
Posterior Scalene, AKA Scalenus Posterior, is one of the lateral muscles of the neck, belonging to the Scalene group. It is deeply placed, lying behind Sternocleidomastoid.
Can scalenes cause headaches?
When these muscles get tight and overworked, it is common for headaches and dizziness to occur. The “Upper Traps” are the tops of the shoulders, and lie over the top of the scalenes and the other neck muscles – they are muscles you feel immediately under the skin.
How do you sleep with scalene pain?
- sleeping on your back slightly reclined.
- sleeping on your back with a pillow under your knees.
- sleeping in the fetal position.
- sleeping with a pillow between your knees.
What is the anterior scalene?
The anterior scalene, AKA scalenus anterior (scalenus anticus; Latin: musculus scalenus anterior) muscle is one of the lateral muscles of the neck, belonging to the scalene group. It is deeply placed, lying behind the Sternocleidomastoid. It is located between the subclavian vein and the subclavian artery.Where is the middle scalene muscle?
Middle Scalene, AKA Scalenus Medius (Latin: musculus scalenus medius), is the largest and longest muscle in the scalene group of lateral neck muscles. Often penetrated by the dorsal scapular and long thoracic nerves, it is deeply placed, lying behind Sternocleidomastoid.
Do Scalenes rotate the neck?Conclusions: All 3 scalene muscles produce rotation of the cervical spine to the same side. Maximum stretching of the scalenes should include rotation to the opposite side.
Article first time published onWhat is inferior to Scalenes?
The scalenus anterior muscle forms the anterior border of the interscalene (scalene) triangle. The posterior border of this space is formed by the scalenus medius, while the inferior border is comprised by the first rib.
Where is the origin of the sternocleidomastoid?
Origin and insertion The sternal head originates from the manubrium sterni, while the clavicular head from the medial third of the clavicle. The insertion is the lateral surface of the mastoid process of the temporal bone and the lateral half of the superior nuchal line of the occipital bone.
What Innervates the anterior scalene?
The scalene muscles are innervated by the anterior branches of the cervical spinal nerves from C3 to C8. Scalene muscles involve the cervical plexus and the brachial plexus; the collaboration between the two complexes is fundamental for the different functions of these muscles.
What attaches to the scalene tubercle?
First rib. The scalene tubercle is a small projection that runs along the medial border of the first rib between two grooves, which travel anteriorly for the subclavian artery and posteriorly for the subclavian vein. It projects outward medially, and is the site of insertion for scalenus anterior, and scalenus medius.
What passes through the scalene gap?
The scalene triangle is bound by the anterior and middle scalene muscles, with the first rib at the base. The brachial plexus nerves (yellow) and the subclavian artery (red) pass through the scalene triangle, while the subclavian vein (blue) passes in front.
Where do I put my arms when sleeping on my side?
First, make sure that your arms are down by your side. Sleeping with your arms overhead, perhaps around your pillow, can pinch your lower shoulder. Instead, sleep with your arms down by your side. You can also try sleeping with a pillow between your legs.
Is it better to sleep without pillow?
Sleeping without a pillow can keep your head flat. This may reduce some stress on your neck and promote better alignment. … If you sleep on your back or side, sleeping without a pillow may do more harm than good. It’s best to use a pillow to keep your spine neutral.
What causes scalene muscle pain?
Activities that can cause scalene muscle pain are whiplash; excessive coughing; sufferers of breathing conditions such as COPD, asthma, and emphysema; extended periods of head tilted; sleeping on stomach with head to one side; carrying something heavy such as a backpack or purse; pulling or lifting with the arms at …
What does scalene pain feel like?
Just like the pain of a heart attack spreads from the heart into the shoulder & arm, the pain of painful scalene muscles spreads throughout the chest, upper back & chest, the arm & hand & the side of the head. Pain referred to the back may feel like a penetrating pain stabbing through the torso.
Can tight Scalenes cause dizziness?
A muscle on the front of your neck called the sternocleidomastoid (SCM) could be tight and can make you feel woozy and nauseous. Here are 3 things to try if you think tight neck muscles (and your SCM) could be causing you to feel wonky. To stretch the left SCM muscle: Sit upright in a chair.
Do dogs have scalene muscles?
These observations thus indicate that the alpha-motoneurons of the scalene and sternomastoid muscles in the dog have very small central respiratory drive potentials with respect to their critical firing threshold. In this animal, these muscles do not have a significant respiratory function.
What is the scalene tubercle?
Medical Definition of scalene tubercle : a tubercle on the upper surface of the first rib that serves for insertion of the scalenus anterior.
Can scalene muscles cause ear pain?
Pain in the sternocleidomastoid can cause neck tenderness and headaches. A person with sternocleidomastoid pain might notice trigger points along the side or front of the neck. Frequently, however, pain from this muscle radiates elsewhere, causing ear, eye, or sinus pain.
Where is the longus colli?
The left and right longus colli muscles (see Fig. 4-6) are located along the anterior aspect of the cervical vertebral bodies. Each of these muscles consists of three parts: vertical, inferior oblique, and superior oblique. Together the three parts of this muscle flex the neck (Cagnie et al., 2010).