The scalene muscles
Scalene muscles · musculi scaleni
Three muscles on the side of your neck that tilt it and lift the first two ribs.
What it does
The front, middle and back scalenes run from the neck vertebrae down to the first and second ribs. They bend the neck to the side and lift the upper ribs when you breathe deeply, such as during heavy exercise.
Surprising fact
The nerves to your arm and the main artery to it squeeze out through a gap between two scalene muscles.
Why it matters
Tight scalenes can press on those nerves and vessels, causing tingling in the arm, a group of problems called thoracic outlet syndrome.
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Sources
Drafted with AI help; awaiting a human fact-check against these sources.
Open in the 3D atlas · Suggest a correction · Not medical advice.
3D models: Z-Anatomy & BodyParts3D (CC BY-SA 4.0 / 2.1 JP). Card text CC BY 4.0.