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The longus colli muscle is a muscle that is part of the prevertebral neck musculature.

The longus colli muscle runs along the front of the spine, between the atlas and the 3rd thoracic vertebra. It can be divided into three parts:

• Pars obliqua superior
• Pars recta (medial part)
• Pars obliqua inferior

Pars obliqua superior

The pars obliqua superior originates at the anterior tubercles of the transverse processes of the 3rd, 4th and fifth cervical vertebrae and then extends obliquely medially. It inserts with a narrow tendon on the anterior tubercle of the atlas (1st cervical vertebra).

Pars recta

The vertical pars recta originates from the anterior surfaces of the vertebral bodies of the 5th to 7th cervical vertebrae and the 1st to 3rd thoracic vertebrae. They insert on the anterior surfaces of the 2nd to 4th cervical vertebrae.

Pars obliqua inferior

The pars obliqua inferior is the smallest part of the muscle. It originates on the anterior surfaces of the vertebral bodies of the 1st to 3rd thoracic vertebrae. From here the fibres extend obliquely laterally and insert at the anterior tubercles of the transverse processes of the 5th and 6th cervical vertebrae.

The longus colli muscle is innervated by the ventral rami of the spinal nerves C2-C7 (C1-C8) or via the prevertebral branches of the cervical plexus.

The longus colli muscle causes flexion (bending) of the head and neck forwards. When contracted on one side, it produces a rotation to the same side (pars superior) or to the opposite side (pars inferior).