Definition
Scalene muscles are a group of three muscles on each side of the neck, running from the cervical vertebrae to the first two ribs. These include anterior, middle, and posterior scalenes. Think of them as guide wires supporting a radio tower. ðŧ They assist in elevating the ribs during inhalation, effectively helping you breathe more deeply. They also flex and rotate the neck. ðĪļ Unlike larger muscles, scalenes are often involved in conditions like thoracic outlet syndrome where they can compress nerves.