The Cervical Muscle System In Health And Disease: Structural And Functional Alterations
Abstract
The purpose of this review is to analyze the anatomical structure of the cervical musculature and to describe the main morphological and functional changes occurring in neck muscles under various pathological conditions. A narrative review of scientific publications from 2015–2025 was conducted using PubMed, Scopus, ScienceDirect, and Google Scholar databases. The neck muscles form a complex anatomical system responsible for stability, mobility, and proprioception of the cervical spine. Pathological processes such as degenerative, postural, or traumatic disorders cause atrophy, fatty infiltration, and altered neuromuscular activation, especially in the deep stabilizing muscles. Understanding the anatomy and pathological remodeling of neck muscles provides the foundation for accurate diagnosis, rehabilitation, and prevention of cervical disorders.