What are the main functions of the paravertebral muscles in the neck?

The paravertebral muscles primarily assist in elevating ribs during respiration and bending the cervical spine laterally. They are supplied by ventral rami of the lower 5–6 cervical spinal nerves.

How many scalene muscles are there, and what are their names?

There are typically three scalene muscles: scalenus anterior (most superficial), scalenus medius (largest and longest), and scalenus posterior (smallest and deepest).

What is the scalene triangle, and what does it contain?

The scalene triangle is the space between scalenus anterior and medius above the 1st rib, containing the subclavian artery and brachial plexus.

What is scalene syndrome, and what are its common symptoms?

Scalene syndrome is caused by compression of the brachial plexus and subclavian artery in the scalene triangle, leading to symptoms like tingling in the forearm, hand muscle weakness, and pain with arm movement.

What is the scalenus minimus, and what is its function?

Scalenus minimus is a rudimentary fourth scalene muscle that helps tense the cervical pleura by connecting C7 to the 1st rib and pleura.

What are the key anatomical relations of the scalenus anterior muscle?

Scalenus anterior is related to the phrenic nerve anteriorly, subclavian artery and brachial plexus posteriorly, and subclavian vein near its insertion.

Scalene Muscles – Anatomy, Function & Clinical