[Durgical](https://durgical.com/en/) › [DurgiPedia](https://durgical.com/en/durgipedia/) › [Anatomy](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/) › [Spine](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/region/spine/) › Longus capitis [Muscular system](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/system/muscular-system/) · [Spine](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/region/spine/) # Longus capitis The longus capitis is a deep muscle in front of the upper neck vertebrae, running up to the skull base; it bends the head forward. Official name: Longus capitis muscle [See in 3D →](https://durgical.app/?from=durgipedia&lang=en#region=spine&select=longus_capitis&side=r) Opens in the Durgical app, no sign-up needed. ## What it is A deep neck muscle in front of the upper neck vertebrae, running up to the skull base. ## What it does Bends the head and upper neck forward. ## Key points - Lies on the front of the upper cervical [spine](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/region/spine/) and skull base, just behind the prevertebral fascia; the retropharyngeal and danger spaces lie in front of it - The superior cervical ganglion of the sympathetic trunk lies on it at about C2–C3; injury there causes Horner syndrome (ptosis, miosis, anhidrosis) - With longus colli it forms the deep neck flexors, examined with the craniocervical flexion test ## Key facts **Origin** Anterior tubercles of transverse processes of C3–C6 **Insertion** Basilar part of the [occipital bone](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/occipital-bone/) **Action** Flexes the head and upper neck **Nerve** Ventral rami of C1–C3 **Blood supply** Ascending pharyngeal, ascending cervical and vertebral arteries ## Relations **In front** Prevertebral fascia, then the retropharyngeal space and the [pharynx](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/pharynx/); the [sympathetic trunk](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/sympathetic-trunk/) with the superior cervical ganglion lies on it **Behind** Transverse processes of C3–C6, the [atlas](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/atlas/), rectus capitis anterior and the anterior atlanto-occipital membrane **Medial** [Longus colli](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/longus-colli-muscle/) below; the [anterior longitudinal ligament](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/anterior-longitudinal-ligament/) in the midline **Lateral** [Carotid sheath](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/carotid-sheath/) ([internal carotid artery](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/internal-carotid-artery/), [internal jugular vein](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/internal-jugular-vein/), [vagus nerve](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/vagus-nerve/)) in front and to the side; scalenus anterior below ## How to find it It cannot be felt. On sagittal and axial MRI it is the muscle band in front of C1–C3 behind the pharynx; on a lateral neck radiograph it is part of the thin prevertebral soft tissue in front of C2. ## Examination - Craniocervical flexion test: a gentle nod lying on the back, in stages, often with a pressure sensor under the neck; failing to hold the nod or substituting with [sternocleidomastoid](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/sternocleidomastoid-muscle/) shows weak deep neck flexors ## On imaging On a lateral neck radiograph it is part of the prevertebral soft tissue in front of C2, normally thin (about 7 mm in adults is a common cut-off). Widening suggests a retropharyngeal abscess, haematoma or post-traumatic swelling; CT or MRI then shows the collection. CT also shows calcific tendinitis of the nearby longus colli: calcium in front of C1–C2 with fluid, an abscess mimic. ## Common problems - Strained in whiplash. - In an ACDF it is gently lifted off the front of the spine on each side to place the retractor; the sympathetic trunk lies on it. ## How it is diagnosed Exam; MRI if needed. ## Treatment - Deep neck flexor exercises are a mainstay of neck pain rehabilitation. ## Clinical notes - A retropharyngeal abscess or haematoma lies just in front of it and widens the prevertebral soft tissue on the lateral radiograph - High anterior and transoral approaches to C1–C2 cross it; the superior cervical ganglion on its surface is at risk ## Test yourself Think of the answer, then tap the question to see it. ## What are the attachments and action of the longus capitis? From the anterior tubercles of C3–C6 to the basilar occipital bone; it flexes the head and upper neck. ## Which ganglion lies on the longus capitis at about C2–C3? The superior cervical sympathetic ganglion; injury causes Horner syndrome (ptosis, miosis, anhidrosis). ## Which test assesses the longus capitis and longus colli as deep neck flexors? The craniocervical flexion test: a staged gentle nod lying supine; failing it or substituting with sternocleidomastoid shows weakness. [Add to my cards (3)](https://durgical.app/estudiar/?add=/en/anatomy/longus-capitis-muscle/) Educational information, not medical advice. For any symptom, see a health professional. ## Its names **Official Latin (TA2)** musculus longus capitis TA2 2149 **Official Spanish (DeCS)** Músculo largo de la cabeza DeCS D009334 **English (TA2)** Longus capitis muscle ## Related - [Neck nerve roots](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/anterior-root-of-spinal-nerve/) - [C3 vertebra](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/cervical-vertebrae/) - [C4 vertebra](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/c4/) - [C5 vertebra](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/c5/) - [C6 vertebra](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/c6/) - [Base of the skull](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/occipital-bone/) Sources: Terminologia Anatomica (TA2); [DeCS](https://decs.bvsalud.org/es/ths/resource/?id=9525&filter=ths_termall&q=M%C3%BAsculos%20del%20Cuello); [Anatomy, Head and Neck, Prevertebral Muscles](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK560569/). ## **Spotted a mistake?** We are always improving for the community. Tell us what is wrong and our team will review it. Report a mistake Representative model, for educational purposes only. --- Source: https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/longus-capitis-muscle/ License: CC BY 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). Cite as: DurgiPedia (durgical.com), https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/longus-capitis-muscle/