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Longus colli muscle

The Longus Colli is a prevertebral muscle of the neck, forming part of the deep cervical flexors group. It plays a vital role in flexing the cervical spine and stabilizing the neck during movement. The muscle is located anterior to the cervical and upper thoracic vertebral bodies, deep to the trachea and esophagus. Its slender, elongated structure makes it a significant anatomical landmark in cross-sectional imaging and neck surgeries.

Synonyms

  • Long muscle of the neck

  • Musculus longus colli (Latin)

  • Anterior vertebral muscle

Function

  • Flexion of the cervical spine

  • Assists in rotation and slight lateral flexion of the neck

  • Stabilizes the cervical vertebral column during movement

  • Supports head posture and cervical lordosis

Origin and Insertion

  • Origin:

    • Superior oblique part: anterior tubercles of transverse processes of C3–C5 vertebrae

    • Vertical part: anterior surface of bodies of C5–T3 vertebrae

    • Inferior oblique part: anterior surface of bodies of T1–T3 vertebrae

  • Insertion:

    • Superior oblique part: anterior tubercle of the atlas (C1)

    • Vertical part: anterior surface of C2–C4 vertebral bodies

    • Inferior oblique part: anterior tubercles of transverse processes of C5–C6

Nerve Supply

  • Branches from the ventral rami of cervical spinal nerves (C2–C6)

Artery Supply

  • Ascending pharyngeal artery (branch of external carotid artery)

  • Vertebral artery (branch of subclavian artery)

  • Inferior thyroid artery (branch of thyrocervical trunk)

Vein Supply

  • Drained by the vertebral vein

  • Inferior thyroid vein

  • Deep cervical veins

MRI Appearance

  • T1-weighted: Isointense to surrounding muscle tissue, well-defined, elongated muscle anterior to cervical vertebrae

  • T2-weighted: Iso- to skeletal muscle; increased signal in cases of pathology (e.g., edema, infection, or injury)

  • STIR: Hyperintense in conditions with muscle edema, inflammation, or acute injury; otherwise, signal similar to other neck muscles

CT Appearance

  • Appears as a well-defined, symmetrical, low-density soft tissue structure anterior to the cervical vertebral bodies

  • Differentiated from surrounding structures by fat planes and proximity to the vertebral column

MRI images

Longus colli muscle mri axial image

CT image

Longus colli muscle anatomy ct axial image -img-00000-00000