Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Experiment Videos

Sternomastoid paradox.

T Fitzgerald1

  • 1Department of Anatomy, National University of Ireland at Galway, Galway, Ireland. proffitz@indigo.ie

Clinical Anatomy (New York, N.Y.)
|December 26, 2001
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Sternomastoid muscle (SCM) function after stroke may not indicate typical motor weakness. This study suggests SCM acts more as a postural stabilizer than a prime mover in head rotation.

Related Concept Videos

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Meaningful engagement of lived experience in diabetes research and health service improvement: A rapid review of barriers to and enablers for community involvement among adults with type 2 diabetes.

Diabetic medicine : a journal of the British Diabetic Association·2026
Same author

Recombinant HA-based vaccine outperforms split and subunit vaccines in elicitation of influenza-specific CD4 T cells and CD4 T cell-dependent antibody responses in humans.

NPJ vaccines·2020
Same author

Use of the Dermatology Life Quality Index work/study domain to estimate overall work productivity loss among patients with psoriasis: an analysis based on real-world data.

Clinical and experimental dermatology·2019
Same author

Mobile technology use and skills among individuals with fragile X syndrome: implications for healthcare decision making.

Journal of intellectual disability research : JIDR·2018
Same author

Commentary on: Non-interpretive radiology: an Irish perspective.

Clinical radiology·2018
Same author

African-American injection drug users: association between pre-treatment services and entry into and completion of detoxification.

Evaluation and program planning·2013
Same journal

The Pterygopalatine Ganglion Within the Pterygopalatine Fossa: Quantitative Topography and Implications for Posteriorly Directed Percutaneous Access.

Clinical anatomy (New York, N.Y.)·2026
Same journal

External Acoustic Meatus Approach for Ultrasonographic Evaluation of the Temporomandibular Joint: An Anatomical Validation and Proof-of-Concept Study.

Clinical anatomy (New York, N.Y.)·2026
Same journal

Variant Anatomy Literacy as a Patient-Safety Competency in Surgical Training: A Title-Informed Conceptual Review and Competency Framework.

Clinical anatomy (New York, N.Y.)·2026
Same journal

Towards Convergence: Evidence for the Fascia System as a Body-Wide Continuum.

Clinical anatomy (New York, N.Y.)·2026
Same journal

Fractal Complexity of the Circle of Willis Links Circulating Microparticles to Silent Cerebral Small Vessel Disease.

Clinical anatomy (New York, N.Y.)·2026
Same journal

The Permissible Use of the Pernkopf Atlas: A Single-Case Qualitative Study of the Vienna Protocol.

Clinical anatomy (New York, N.Y.)·2026
See all related articles

Area of Science:

  • Neurology
  • Neuroscience
  • Biomechanics

Background:

  • Cerebrovascular accidents (CVAs) typically cause contralateral motor deficits.
  • Testing cranial nerve function post-CVA includes assessing sternomastoid muscle (SCM) action via head rotation.
  • SCM function appears atypical, seemingly unaffected by CVAs that compromise corticonuclear pathways.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To re-evaluate the functional role of the sternomastoid muscle (SCM) following cerebrovascular accidents (CVAs).
  • To challenge the conventional understanding of SCM as a prime mover in head rotation tests post-CVA.
  • To propose SCM's primary role as a postural stabilizer.

Main Methods:

  • Review of standard neurological examination protocols for cranial nerve assessment post-CVA.

Related Experiment Videos

  • Analysis of biomechanical principles governing head rotation and postural stability.
  • Clinical observation and interpretation of SCM activity during functional tests.

    • Main Results:

    • The sternomastoid muscle (SCM) may not exhibit the expected contralateral motor weakness after a CVA.
    • Evidence suggests SCM's involvement in stabilizing the head and neck rather than direct head rotation.
    • Observed SCM function aligns more with a postural role than that of a prime mover.

    Conclusions:

    • The standard assessment of SCM function post-CVA may misinterpret its role.
    • SCM likely functions primarily as a postural stabilizer, not solely a prime mover for head rotation.
    • Rethinking SCM's function is crucial for accurate neurological assessment after cerebrovascular events.