156 



Tendons are pearl-colored, fibrous cords, differing in length 

 and thickness; they are round or flat, of considerable strength, 

 and devoid of elasticity. Their structure consists of fibrils 

 of white fibrous tissue which run in an undulating parallel 

 course. Very few arteries or veins are found in the tendons. 



THE MUSCLES AND FASCIAE OF THE NECK 



The neck muscles are mostly vertical, a superficial or anterior 

 group, somewhat resembling the recti abdominis; a deep or 

 posterior group corresponding to the intercostals and serratus 

 anticus. 



I. THE ANTERIOR NECK MUSCLES 



Long Muscles. 1. Platysma myoidcs (M. subcutaneus colli) 

 is a pale thin muscular sheet over the front and side of the 

 neck and lower part of the face. Origin, the skin and sub- 

 cutaneous tissue over the deltoid, pectoral, and trapezius 

 muscles in a line from the anterior end of the second rib to 

 the acromion; fibers pass up and in over the clavicle, and are 

 inserted into the lower jaw; the two muscles meet at the hyoid, 

 and the right overlaps the left one; the posterior fibers blend 

 with the depressor anguli and orbicularis muscles and fascise. 

 The muscle does not rise from bone; but is inserted into bone, 

 muscle, and fascia. 



Nerves. Inframaxillary branch of the facial, but as this 

 unites with the superficial cervical nerve, it may get some 

 spinal innervation. 



Action. Draws angle of the mouth down and out; may 

 depress the lower jaw; being curved, it tends to redress itself, 

 carries skin of the neck forward, and is said to be useful in 

 singing by removing pressure from the great vessels; used in 

 swallowing and expressing sudden terror; some authorities say 

 propels saliva from the parotid. 



The Deep Cervical Fascia (Anteriorly) 



This passes from the trapezius muscle beneath the platysma 

 over the posterior triangle of the neck, invests the sterno- 

 mastoid, and passes over the anterior triangle to the median 

 line. It is attached below to the clavicle, and perforated by 



