The scalene muscles are a muscle group in your neck.
You have 60 to 70 muscles in yourneck, head, and face area.
Sometimes the scalenes can give you problems because they’re prone to a lot of tension.
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To imagine what the scalenes look like, you might think of the angled rigging of a ships mast.
The scalenes resemble this and are positioned on the neck and collarbone similarly.
Like all scalene muscles, it is considered a side neck muscle.
It has more than one function.
Its helpful to remember that you have these muscles on both sides of your neck.
When acting only on one side of your neck, the anterior scalene can bend and rotate your neck.
When both of your anterior scalenes work together, they flex (bend) your neck.
It is considered an accessory breathing muscle because it lifts the first rib during an inhale.
When both medial scalenes contract, they flex the neck.
It does not contribute to the scalene triangle; only the anterior and medial branches do that.
When only one posterior scalene is contracting, it flexes and rotates the neck joints.
The posterior scalene muscle is considered an accessory breathing muscle because it lifts the second rib during inhalation.
Another name for this formation is the scalene fissure or scalene haitus.
The scalene triangle is important because thebrachial plexusnerve complex branches pass through it.
Scalene tension may compress these branches, and that may be a sign ofthoracic outlet syndrome(TOS).
What Makes the Scalene Muscles Tight
The scalenes are implicated in a number of neck problems.
Below are a few of the more common ones.
All of the scalene muscles are involved in torticollis.
Sometimes torticollis occurs due to genetic factors that affect the nervous system.
It can also develop due to trauma or drugs.
Torticollis is characterized by a twisted neck position that is very difficult to release.
The head also tilts to the opposite side.
Maintaining this position chronically can perpetuate this posture problem.
Deep tissue work on scalenes can aggravatewhiplash symptomsif done too soon after the inciting incident.
Respiratory Problems
The scalene muscles are accessory breathing muscles that help you inhale.
When you have respiratory issues (for example,asthma) your scalenes may have to work extra hard.
Part 1: anatomy, and clinical examination/diagnosis.J Man Manip Ther.
