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