Scalene Muscles

Description

Illustration of the anterior, middle and posterior scalen

Schematic of the chest wall musculature indicating the location of muscles. Inspiratory muscles including scalenes, external intercostals, parasternal intercostals and diaphragm are drawn on the left. Expiratory muscles are drawn on the right

Names

• Scale Muscles
• Scalene Muscles of the Neck

General

• 3 paired muscles located in the lateral neck
• Collectively, form part of the floor of the posterior triangle of the neck

Muscles

• Anterior Scalene
• Middle Scalene
• Posterior Scalene

Actions

• Accessory muscles of respiration
• Bilateral: Flexion of cervical spine
• Unilateral: Side bending and rotation of cervical spine to same side

Anatomic Relationships

• Brachial Plexus, subclavian artery pass through anterior and middle scalene
• This is an important anatomic landmark for the interscalene block
• Subclavian vein and phrenic nerve pass anteriorly to the anterior scalene

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Clinical Significance

• Thoracic Outlet Syndrome
• Interscalene Block

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See Also

• Physical Exam Neck
• Neck Anatomy (Main)
• Neck Pain (Main)

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