What is the neck muscle called?
The long neck muscle is called the sternocleidomastoid. Gray's Anatomy (1918) describes it as a long, strap-like muscle on each side of the neck.
What it is
- A long, strap-like muscle on each side of the neck.
- Named for its three attachments: sternum, clavicle, and mastoid process.
- Turns the head to the opposite side and bends it toward the same side.
Where it is
- Runs diagonally from behind the ear to the top of the sternum.
- Stands out on the front of the neck when the head is turned.
- Divides the neck into anterior and posterior triangles.
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Last verified: 2026-07-18
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