Noun: sternocleidomastoid
- One of two thick muscles running from the sternum and clavicle to the mastoid and occipital bone; turns head obliquely to the opposite side; when acting together they flex the neck and extend the head
"The sternocleidomastoid muscle is prominently visible when turning the head";
- sternocleidomastoid muscle, sternocleido mastoideus, musculus sternocleidomastoideus
Derived forms: sternocleidomastoids
Type of: skeletal muscle, striated muscle
Encyclopedia: Sternocleidomastoid