SCALENUS

scalene muscle   n.  Any of three muscles on each side of the neck that serve to bend and rotate the neck and that assist breathing by raising or fixing the first two ribs. Also called scalenus.

Main Entry: sca·le·nus
Pronunciation: skA-'lE-n&s
Function: noun
Inflected Form: plural sca·le·ni /-"nI/
: any of usually three deeply situated muscles on each side of the neck of which each extends from the transverse processes of two or more cervical vertebrae to the first or second rib: a : one arising from the transverse processes of the third to sixth cervical vertebrae, inserting on the scalene tubercle of the first rib, and functioning to bend the neck forward andlaterally and to rotate it to the side called also anterior scalene, scalenus anterior, scalenus anticus b : one arising from the transverse processes of the lowersix cervical vertebrae, inserting on the upper surface of the first rib, and functioning similarly to the scalenus anterior called also middle scalene, scalenus medius c : one arising from the transverse processes of the fourth to sixth cervical vertebrae, inserting on the outer surface of the second rib, and functioning to raise the second rib and to bend and slightlyrotate the neck called also posterior scalene, scalenus posterior