Longus Colli
Musculus longus colli
A deep anterior cervical muscle running along the front of the spine that flexes and stabilizes the cervical column. It is the key deep neck flexor targeted in chin-tuck/craniocervical flexion exercises for posture, neck-pain rehab, and counteracting forward-head posture in trainees.
- Actions
- Cervical flexion (bilateral), Ipsilateral cervical lateral flexion (unilateral), Slight contralateral rotation (oblique fibers), Deep cervical stabilization
- Origin
- Anterior tubercles of the transverse processes and bodies of C3-T3 (three parts: superior oblique, inferior oblique, vertical).
- Insertion
- Anterior tubercle of the atlas (C1) and the anterior bodies/transverse processes of the upper cervical vertebrae.
- Innervation
- Anterior rami of the cervical spinal nerves (C2-C6).
- Blood supply
- Ascending cervical, inferior thyroid, and vertebral arteries.