The sternocleidomastoid muscle lies on the side of the neck.

The investing layer of deep cervical

fascia, which splits to pass round it, encloses it. The muscle is an important landmark in the neck
because many of the structures seen in both superficial and deep dissections can be directly
related to it.

The sternocleidomastoid muscle forms the boundary demarcating regions termed the anterior
and posterior triangles of the neck. On its superficial surface lie the external jugular vein, the
superficial cervical chain of lymph nodes and, emerging from behind its posterior margin, the
cutaneous nerves from the cervical plexus. At the root of the neck, the platysma muscle covers
sternocleidomastoid. Near its insertion, it is covered by the parotid gland. Beneath the
sternocleidomastoid muscle are the great vessels of the neck, accompanied by the vagus nerve,
within the carotid sheath. The deep cervical chain of lymph nodes, the cervical plexus, the ansa
cervicalis, the upper part of the brachial plexus, and the phrenic nerve are also located beneath
the muscle. Near its origin, the sternocleidomastoid muscle overlaps the infrahyoid (strap)
musculature.

Origin

The sternocleidomastoid muscle arises by two heads. The sternal head is tendinous and attached
to the anterior surface of the manubrium sterni. The clavicular head is a wide muscular head
arising from the upper surface of the medial third of the clavicle.

Insertion

The two heads merge and the muscle passes upwards, laterally and posteriorly to insert onto the
lateral surface of the mastoid process of the temporal bone and the adjacent part of the superior
nuchal line.

Nerve Supply

The spinal part of the accessory nerve supplies the muscle and passes through or deep to it to
emerge into the posterior triangle of the neck on its way to the trapezius muscle. The sensory
innervation concerned with proprioception is associated with the cervical plexus. Indeed, even its
motor supply may be derived in part from this plexus.

Vasculature

Sternocleidomastoid receives its blood supply from branches of the superior thyroid, occipital,
posterior auricular and suprascapular arteries.

Action

These vary according to whether one or both sternocleidomastoid muscles are activated. When
one muscle acts, the head is tipped towards the shoulder on the same side and is rotated to
direct the face towards the opposite side. When the muscles act together, the head is moved
forwards. The muscles may be involved in forced expiration.

The superficial regions of the neck anteriorly and laterally are divided for descriptive purposes
into anterior and posterior triangles. The structure delineating these triangles is the
sternocleidomastoid muscle.