Musculus cutaneus colli
The cutaneus colli is a thin subcutaneous muscle of the ventral and lateral neck. It originates from the ventral cervical fascia and manubrium and inserts into the skin of the neck, blending with the cutaneus faciei. Its action is to twitch or wrinkle the skin, useful for dislodging insects and contributing to thermoregulation. It is innervated by the ventral branch of the facial nerve (CN VII) and is considered part of the broader platysma group. Clinically its main relevance is that contraction can make it harder to raise the jugular vein for venipuncture or catheter placement. It is otherwise rarely diseased.
Origin: Ventral cervical fascia and manubrium of the sternum
Insertion: Skin of the ventral and lateral neck; blends with the cutaneus faciei
Action: Twitches the skin of the neck; moves the skin for fly removal and thermoregulation
Innervation: Ventral branch of the facial nerve (CN VII)
Contraction may obscure the jugular furrow. Facial-nerve lesions can reduce its function. No major primary pathologies are recognized.
## Overview The skin twitch (cutaneous trunci or panniculus) reflex is tested by pinching the skin. In the neck, absence of the twitch in a specific area may indicate local cutaneous nerve damage or
When your veterinarian is trying to draw blood from the jugular, a light tap or waiting for the horse to relax often lets the vein fill despite this muscle. No special owner monitoring is required.
## Overview The skin twitch (cutaneous trunci or panniculus) reflex is tested by pinching the skin. In the neck, absence of the twitch in a specific area may indicate local cutaneous nerve damage or facial-nerve involvement. It is a useful part of the neurologic examination. ## What It Indicates Integrity of local sensory and motor nerves to the skin. ## Diagnosis Observation of the reflex during neurologic testing. ## Treatment Directed at the underlying nerve injury if present. ## Recovery and Prognosis Depends on the nerve lesion. ## Prevention Not applicable. Signs include: inability to twitch the skin in a specific area of the neck; may indicate local nerve damage
Contraction may obscure the jugular furrow. Facial-nerve lesions can reduce its function. No major primary pathologies are recognized.
When your veterinarian is trying to draw blood from the jugular, a light tap or waiting for the horse to relax often lets the vein fill despite this muscle. No special owner monitoring is required.
See the Cutaneus Colli on our interactive 3D horse model. Open 3D Model