Online ISSN: 2515-8260

Revisiting The Attachment And Innervation Of Cadaveric Sternocleidooccipitomastoid Muscles And Its Clinical Implications

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1Dr. Preeti Shrivastava, 2Dr. Bhaskar Sharma, 3Dr. Nisha Sharma, 4Dr. Gayatri Rath

Abstract

Sternocleidooccipitomastoid (SCOM) muscles of16 cadavers were dissected over a period of eight years to study possible clinical significance. It was observed that fifteen cadavers had the classical attachment and innervation as described in the standard textbooks of anatomy. But SCOM in one male cadaver revealed bilateral anomalous attachments. Both sides SCOM had supernumerary clavicular heads whereas the sternal heads (LSH, RSH) had the usual attachments. On the right side there were three clavicular heads (RCH1, RCH2, RCH3) out of which medial two heads (RCH1 & RCH2) joined with RSH at the level of cricoid cartilage to get inserted on the mastoid process extending up to the superior nuchal line. The RCH3 remained separate up to the level of greater cornu of hyoid bone, where it gives a slip to the main belly before inserting on the superior nuchal line, as two slips. On the left side also, there were three clavicular heads (LCH1, LCH2, LCH3) which merged with LSH at the level of thyroid prominence before attaching on the mastoid process and superior nuchal line. At the level of greater cornu of hyoid bone, another supernumerary slip arising from deep aspect of left main belly was noticed which inserted on the medial aspect of superior nuchal line and external occipital protuberance. The left SCOM had an additional twig from ansa cervicalis apart from accessory nerve whereas the right SCOM had the usual nerve supply. During ablative and reconstructive surgeries of the face and oral cavity surgeons should remember the variation in clavicular head and additional nerve supply of SCOM.

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