Home » Anatomy » Thoracic Outlet Anatomy » Scalene Muscles – Functional Anatomy

Scalene Muscles – Functional Anatomy

Overview

Scalene anatomy is more variable than most muscles. They vary in their attachments and size in 40-71% of the reviewed studies. Scalenes are 3 (sometimes 4) muscles on either side of the neck.

Scalene Muscles – Anterior View

This is one of those muscles that makes it hard to say which end is the origin and which end is the insertion. Sometimes, we look at the lower attachments as the origin because we flex the neck. Contrarily, we may see the upper attachments as the origin of assisted breathing. This post uses the lower attachments as the origin for consistency in color coding and discussion.

Origin

  • Ribs 1-2
  • (fascia of the pleural cavity)

Insertion

  • C2-C7

Function

  • (forward) Flex the neck
  • Laterally flex the neck
  • Rotation of the neck
  • Assisted breathing

Nerve

  • Posterior rami of C3-C8
Scalene Muscles – Lateral View

Overall Structure

The three bellies are named for their position; scalenus anterior, scalenus medius, and Scalenus posterior. Inconsistently, there is an anomalous belly is called scalenus minimus. But, as a group, scalenes are lateral cervical muscles that connect the cervical vertebrae to the upper thoracic cage. They are long muscles with fibers of uneven length.

  • Scalenus anterior lies almost entirely under the clavicular head of the sternocleidomastoid in the pedicle groove. It passes anterior to the cervical nerves and subclavian artery but behind the subclavian vein.
  • Scalenus posterior lies mainly under the anterior border of the trapezius. It passes posterior to the cervical nerves and the subclavian artery.
  • Scalenus medius lies in the posterior cervical triangle between the other two scalenes.
  • Scalenus minimus is between the scalenus medius and the brachial plexus.

Scalene Muscles with Neurovascular Structures

Neurovascular Structures

The scalenes entrap the neurovascular that extends across the first rib. The attachments on the first rib are quite variable. Some dissections reveal a smaller attachment of the scalenus anterior. However, others reveal a crescent-shaped attachment. Additionally, there is the highly variable presence of scalenus minimus.

The structures of the first rib from posterior to anterior:

  • scalene, posterior
  • scalene, middle
  • brachial plexus
  • scalene, minimus (when present)
  • subclavian artery
  • scalene, anterior
  • subclavian vein
  • clavicle

Anatomy

Scalene, Anterior

Scalenus Anterior

Origin

  • 1st Rib

Insertion

  • anterior tubercles of C3-C6

Scalenus anterior originates from a flat tendon on the first rib just under the clavicular SCM, medial to the thoracic bundle. It inserts along the anterior tubercles on the transverse process of C3-C6. The upper attachment on C3 is usually a more prominent tubercle than the other cervical vertebrae and is easily distinguished with palpation.

Additionally, there are reports of it extending to attach to the second rib.

Scalene Minimus with neurovascular structures, middle and posterior scalene. Scalene, anterior not shown.

Scalenus, minimus

Origin

  • suprapleural fascia

Insertion

  • C7, (C6)

Dissection information on the scalenus minimus is highly variable. It is reported from 7-71% of the time and varies in its attachments.

Scalenus minimus is the most variable of the scalene muscles. It originates from the fascia of the thoracic pleura and sometimes the first rib. Usually, the minimus inserts on the posterior tubercle of C7, and, sometimes C6. It passes posterior to the subclavian artery.

Scalene, Middle

Scalenus medius

Origin

  • 1st Rib

Insertion

  • posterior tubercle of C2-C7

Scalenus medius originates from a flat tendon on the 1st rib lateral to the thoracic neurovascular bundle. It inserts on the posterior tubercles of the transverse processes of C2-C7. This traps C7-T1 between origin and insertion.

Scalene, Posterior

Scalenus posterior

Origin

  • Lateral aspect of 2nd Rib

Insertion

  • posterior tubercle C3-C6

The Scalenus posterior originates from a flat tendon on the lateral aspect of the 2nd rib. It inserts on the posterior tubercles of the C4-C6 or C7. 

This traps T1 and T2 between the bones of origin and insertion.

The Scalenus posterior has very similar attachments to iliocostalis cervicis and serratus posterior superior. They pull on the same structures and synergize closely. They are essential to resolving forward head posture and lateral flexion of the lower cervicals.

Functional Considerations

Scalenes draw the cervical vertebrae toward the upper ribs. The implications of this can be complicated and argued at length.

  • Contraction creates lateral flexion of the neck when the ribs are fixed.
  • Contraction lifts the thoracic cage when the neck is fixed.

Lifting Ribs to Breathe

During inhalation, especially when the trunk is flexed, scalenes lift the upper ribs from a fixed vertebral column to create volume in the chest cavity. Depending on position and trigger point activity, the scalene muscles synergize with sternocleidomastoid, iliocostalis cervicis, and serratus posterior superior. In addition, Trapezius and levator scapula support the pectoral girdle so that the serratus anterior and pectoralis minor can also assist.

Scalenus anterior is a poor neck flexor but becomes chronically shortened in Forward-Head Posture. This is complemented on the back of the upper neck by the short extensors of the head. Those include the sub-occipitals, splenius capitis, and semispinalis capitis. After the more superficial phasic muscles are released, the deep tonic muscles still support Forward-Head Posture.

The Scalenus posterior has very similar attachments to iliocostalis cervicis and serratus posterior superior. They pull on the same structures and synergize closely. They are essential in resolving forward head posture and lateral flexion of the lower cervical vertebrae.

Lateral Flexion and Rotation

When the ribs are stabilized and the vertebrae are allowed to move, they laterally flex the neck. They synergize with the sternocleidomastoid, lower sections of the levator scapula, and upper trapezius.

Anatomy books are confusing and contradictory about the role that scalenes play in the rotation of the vertebrae. Furthermore, no electro-myographical studies were found to support these claims. That said, scalene referral patterns can be more easily elicited when the head is rotated ipsilaterally while laterally flexing toward the opposite shoulder.

Helpful Collections

Thoracic Outlet Posts

Thoracic Outlet Syndrome

Scalenes are a vital part of thoracic outlet syndrome. They entrap nerves and blood vessels as they pass into the upper extremity. Also, they create patterns of pain, restriction, and swelling in the arm.

This collection contains posts about the thoracic outlet, including:

  • involved muscles
  • pain patterns
  • exercises
  • anatomy and physiology
Pain patterns that refer down the arm

Torso Into Arm

Scalene muscles are often suspected when pain occurs in the arm and hand. However, this is both useful and confusing. Many referral patterns overlap scalene referral patterns. It leads the novice therapist to treat scalenes too often.

This Collection contains posts about trigger points that refer from the torso into the arm. It can be a helpful, quick reference for comparing patterns and sorting out the real problem.

Foward-Head Posture

Address the Underlying Postural Problems

This muscle contributes to Forward-Head posture. Chronically, it becomes short and strong. Then, once the head has become imbalanced over the trunk, this muscle is supported to become shorter and stronger.

If you have Forward-Head Posture, review this collection, especially the self-care exercise Tuck, Tilt, Turn, and Lift.

Posts related to Scalenes

Wikipedia entry for scalene muscles

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Tony Preston has a practice in Atlanta, Georgia, where he sees clients. He has written materials and instructed classes since the mid-90s. This includes anatomy, trigger points, cranial, and neuromuscular.

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