noun
- any of three muscles on each side of the neck that help with breathing and neck movement
Usage: anatomy
Examples
- The scalenus anterior muscle helps elevate the first rib during inspiration.
- Tension in the scalenus muscles can cause neck pain and stiffness.
- The physical therapist worked on releasing the tight scalenus muscles.
- Injury to the scalenus can affect both breathing and neck mobility.
- The scalenus medius is the largest of the three scalene muscles.
- Stretching exercises can help relieve scalenus muscle tension.