Anatomy of the head muscles

The head makes separate movements, as well as movements common to the five vertebrae of the neck, thanks to which the smooth movement of the simultaneous tilt of the head and neck is achieved. Each of these movements, that is, individual and general movements, either bends the head forward, or throws it back, or tilts it to the right, or tilts it to the left. From these movements, a rotational movement is born, which has a circular character. As for the muscles that tilt the head alone, there are two of them, and they come from both sides, since their fibers originate at the top - behind the ears, and at the bottom - from the bones of the sternum, and they rise like connected muscles. Sometimes you may think it is one muscle, sometimes it is two, and sometimes it seems like it is three muscles,  as the end of one of them splits and turns into two heads.

When one of these muscles moves, it bends the head, tilting it to its side, and when both muscles move, they give the head an equal forward tilt.

As for the muscles that tilt the head and neck forward at the same time, this pair of muscles is located under the esophagus. They go towards the first and second vertebrae and connect with them. When the part of these muscles adjacent to the esophagus contracts, they tilt only the head; when the part of the muscles connected to the two vertebrae contracts, they also tilt the neck.

As for the muscles that turn the head back only, there are four pairs of them, and they are placed under the pairs that we mentioned. The exit point for these pairs is above the articulation of the head with the first vertebra; some of them approach the spines - their exit point is further than the middle of the back of the head - a. the other approaches the wings, and their exit point is near the middle of the back of the head. One of the last pairs approaches the wings of the first vertebra, at the top, and the other pair approaches the spines of the second vertebra; fibers of one pair go from the wings of the first vertebra to the spines of the second vertebra; Its peculiarity is that, being located obliquely, it supports the head in a natural position, thrown back when bent back. This also includes the fourth pair, which starts from above, passes obliquely under the third pair in an outward direction and adjoins the wing of the first vertebra.

The first two pairs turn their heads back, with no or very slight tilt. The third pair corrects the amount of head tilt, and the fourth pair turns their head back with a clear slant. If any pair - the third or fourth - contracts alone, then she tilts her head in her direction; if both pairs contract simultaneously, then the head moves backward, turning without tilt.

As for the muscles that turn the head along with the neck, there are three pairs of them, located in the depths, and one pair covering them. Each muscle of this last pair is a triangle* whose base is a bone located behind the brain. The rest of this muscle goes down to the neck.

As for the three pairs that spread under this muscle, a pair descends along the sides of the vertebrae, a pair deviates strongly towards the wings, and a pair passes in the middle, between the sides of the vertebrae and the ends of the wings. There are two pairs of muscles that tilt the head to the sides, and they are adjacent to the joint of the head. The place of one of these pairs is in the front; this is the pair that connects the head to the second vertebra; one muscle is on the right, the other on the left. The place of the second pair is in the back; it connects the first vertebra to the head; one muscle is on the right, the other on the left. When any of these four muscles contracts, the head tilts towards it, somewhat obliquely; when two muscles on one side contract, the head tilts in their direction without tilting at all angles. When both anterior muscles contract, they help tilt the head forward, and the rear ones tilt the head back; when all four muscles contract simultaneously, the head stands straight.

These four muscles are the smallest, but their good location and the fact that they are hidden under the other muscles compensate for the advantage of the other muscles given by size.

The articulation of the head requires two qualities that serve opposing purposes. One of these qualities is strength, and it depends on the tightness of the joint and its low flexibility to movement. The other is the number of movements, and it depends on the compliance and mobility of the joint. Good mobility of the joints is an addition to their strength, which is achieved due to the fact that the surrounding muscles are closely intertwined.

In this way both goals are achieved. May Allah, the best of creators, be blessed!