Skip to main content
Log in

Longus colli has a postural function on cervical curvature

Rôle postural du muscle long du cou

  • Original Articles
  • Published:
Surgical and Radiologic Anatomy Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Summary

To determine the postural role of longus colli (LC) and dorsal neck muscles, we have studied the relationship between their cross-sectional areas related to their force of contraction and the lordosis and the length of the cervical spine. This study was carried out in 36 healthy subjects. Muscle cross-sectional areas were measured by computerized tomography. The index of lordosis and the length of the cervical spine were measured on an X-ray profile. The cross-sectional area of LC was correlated to the lordosis index (R=−0.432, p<0.02) whereas all the other parameters were not correlated. The authors conclude that LC counteracts the lordosis increment related to the weight of the head and to the contraction of the dorsal neck muscles. Postural functions of LC and postcervical muscles are complementary. They form a sleeve which encloses and stabilizes the cervical spine in all positions of the head.

Résumé

Le rôle postural du muscle longus colli (LC) et des muscles de la nuque fut précisé par l'étude de la relation entre d'une part la surface de section de ces muscles, témoin indirect de leur force de contraction, et d'autre part la longueur et la lordose de la colonne cervicale. 36 sujets sains participèrent à cette étude. La mesure des surfaces de section musculaires fut tomodensitométrique alors que celle de l'indice de lordose et de la longueur cervicale fut faite sur une radiographie cervicale de profil. La surface de section du LC était inversement corrélée à l'indice de lordose (r=−0,432). Aucune autre corrélation ne fut trouvée entre les autres paramètres étudiés. Les auteurs concluent que la contraction du LC maintient la lordose cervicale que le poids de la tête et la contraction des muscles de la nuque tendent à accroître. Les fonctions posturales du LC et des muscles de la nuque sont complémentaires. Ensemble, ils forment un manchon qui enserre et stabilise la colonne cervicale dans toutes les positions de la tête.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Aaron C, Gillot C (1962) Muscle psoas et courbures lombaires. Bulletin de l'Association des Anatomistes, XLVIIIéme réunion (Toulouse)

  2. Arlet J, Adam, Lacomme (1950) Analyse radiologique de 100 colonnes cervicales pathologiques. Rev Rhum 17: 99–114

    Google Scholar 

  3. Asmussen E (1960) The weight carrying function of the human spine. Acta Ortho Scand 29: 276–290

    Google Scholar 

  4. Basmajian JV (1958) Electromyography of iliopsoas. Anat Rec 132: 127–132

    Google Scholar 

  5. Delahaye RP, Gueffier G (1968) La radiologie dynamique du rachis cervical du personnel navigant militaire ; cas particulier des pilotes d'avion à réaction. Rev Corps Santé des Armées 5: 593–614

    Google Scholar 

  6. Delmas A (1958) L'acquisition de la station érigée. In: Les processus de l'hominisation. Colloques internationaux du centre national de la recherche scientifique, Paris 19–23 mai, pp 9–35

  7. Donisch EW, Basmajian JV (1972) Electromyography of deep back muscles in man. Am J Anat 133: 25–36

    Google Scholar 

  8. Floyd WF, Silver PHS (1951) Function of the erectores spinae in the flexion of the trunk. Lancet 260: 133–134

    Google Scholar 

  9. Fountain FP, Minear WL, Allison PD (1966) Function of longus colli and longissimus cervicis muscles in man. Arch Phys Med Reh 47: 665–669

    Google Scholar 

  10. Gillot C (1965) Eléments d'anatomie. Fascicule 1: parois du tronc. Flammarion, Paris

    Google Scholar 

  11. Harms-Ringdahl K, Ekholm J, Schüldt K, Nemeth G, Arborelius VP (1986) Load moments and myoelectric activity when the cervical spine is held in full flexion and extension. Ergonomics 29: 1539–1552

    Google Scholar 

  12. Ikai M, Fukunaga T (1968) Calculation of muscle strength per unit cross-sectional area of human muscle by means of ultrasonic measurement. Internationale Zeitschrift für Angewandte Physiologie Einschliesslich Arbeits Physiologie 26: 26–32

    Google Scholar 

  13. Lessertisseur J, Saban R (1967) Squelette axial. In: Grassé PP (ed) Traité de zoologie, anatomie systématique biologie, Tome XVI, 1er fascicule, pp 584–675

  14. Maughan RJ, Watson JS, Weir J (1983) Strength and cross-sectional area of human skeletal muscle. J Physiol 338: 37–49

    Google Scholar 

  15. Maughan R, Nimmo MA (1984) The influence of variations in muscle fibre composition on muscle strength and cross-sectional area in intreated males. J Physiol 351: 299–311

    Google Scholar 

  16. Mayoux-Benhamou MA, Wybier M, Revel M (1989) Strength and cross-sectional area of neck muscles. Ergonomics 32: 513–518

    Google Scholar 

  17. Morris JM, Benner G, Lucas DB (1962) An electromyographic study of the intrinsic muscles of the back in man. J Anat Lond 96: 500–520

    Google Scholar 

  18. Nachemson A (1966) Electromyographic studies on the vertebral portion of the psoas muscle. Acta Orthop Scand 37: 177–190

    Google Scholar 

  19. Pal GP, Sherk HH (1988) The vertical stability of the cervical spine. Spine 13: 447–449

    Google Scholar 

  20. Paturet G (1951) Traité d'Anatomie Humaine, tome I. Masson, Paris

    Google Scholar 

  21. Peck D, Buxton DF, Nitz A (1984) A comparison of spindle concentrations in large and small muscles acting in parallel combinations. J Morphol 180: 243–252

    Google Scholar 

  22. Rabischong P, Lavril J (1965) Rôle biomécanique des poutres composites os muscle. Rev Chir Orthop 51: 437–458

    Google Scholar 

  23. Rasch PJ, Burke RK (1971) Kinesiology and applied anatomy, 4th edn. Lea & Febiger, Philadelphia, pp 269–299

    Google Scholar 

  24. Revel M, Samuel J, Andrés JC (1982) Physilogie du muscle psoas major. Ann Kinesither 9: 7–39

    Google Scholar 

  25. Rizzi MA, Covelli B (1975) Biomechanischer Beitrag zur Berechnung der Kräfte der Halsmuskulatur und deren Wirkung. Z Orthop 113: 371–377

    Google Scholar 

  26. Rouvière H (1970) Anatomie Humaine descriptive et topographique, tome I. Masson, Paris

    Google Scholar 

  27. Schantz P, Randall Fox E, Hutchison W, Tyden A, Astrand PO (1983) Muscle fibre type distribution, muscle cross-sectional area and maximal voluntary strength in humans. Acta Physiol Scand 117: 219–226

    Google Scholar 

  28. Schüldt K (1988) On neck muscle activity and load reduction in sitting postures. Scand J Rehab Med 19: 2–49

    Google Scholar 

  29. Steindler A (1964) Kinesiology of the human body, 2nd edn. Thomas, Springfield

    Google Scholar 

  30. Vitti M, Fujiwara M, Basmajian JV, Iida M (1973) The integrated roles of longus colli and sternocleidomastoid muscles: an electromyographic study. Anat Rec 177: 471–484

    Google Scholar 

  31. Young A, Stokes M, Walker ICR, Newham (1981) The relationship between quadriceps size and strength in normal young adults. Ann Rheum Dis 40: 619–620

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Mayoux-Benhamou, M., Revel, M., Vallée, C. et al. Longus colli has a postural function on cervical curvature. Surg Radiol Anat 16, 367–371 (1994). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01627655

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01627655

Key words

Navigation