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Noun: musculus sternocleidomastoideus
  1. 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 musculus sternocleidomastoideus muscle is prominently visible when turning the head";
    - sternocleidomastoid, sternocleidomastoid muscle, sternocleido mastoideus

Type of: skeletal muscle, striated muscle

Part of: cervix, neck

Encyclopedia: Musculus sternocleidomastoideus