Hawaii Massage License Practice Exam

Which muscle is responsible for neck extension?

1. Sternocleidomastoid

2. Rectus capitis

3. Trapezius

4. Scalenes

The correct answer is: Rectus capitis

The rectus capitis muscles, particularly the rectus capitis posterior major and rectus capitis posterior minor, play a primary role in neck extension. These muscles are located at the back of the neck and connect the skull to the vertebrae. When they contract, they extend the head backward, allowing for movements such as looking up at the sky. While other muscles listed have functions related to the neck, they do not predominantly perform extension. For instance, the sternocleidomastoid is primarily responsible for flexing the neck and rotating the head rather than extending it. The trapezius, though involved in lifting the shoulders and supporting head movement, assists in neck extension but is not the primary muscle for this action. The scalenes are primarily involved in lateral flexion and elevation of the ribs during breathing rather than extension. Thus, the rectus capitis is the specific muscle tasked with extending the neck.