Eur J Anat, 9 (2): 103-106 (2005)

Supernumerary cleidocervicalis (levator claviculae) muscle: Case report of its rare incidence with clinical and embryological significance

Koshy S., Rabi S., Indrasingh I.

Department of Anatomy, Christian Medical College, Vellore 632 002, India

ABSTRACT During routine dissection by medical students at the Department of Anatomy of the posterior triangle of the neck of a South Indian muscular male cadaver, aged 67 years, a variant of the rare supernumerary cleidocervicalis muscle was found bilaterally. This muscle arose from the transverse processes of the atlas and axis. It terminated by inserting into the posterior aspect of the lateral third of the clavicle, merging with the anterior fibres of the trapezius muscle. It was innervated by branches from the second, third, and fourth cervical nerves. No variation was noted in the other muscles in this region. The present report addresses another variant of the cleidocervicalis muscle with a combination of origin, insertion, and nerve supply different from most previous reports. The aim of the present case report is to highlight its clinical significance to physicians, surgeons, and radiologists in order to differentiate it from other soft tissue lesions, together with its embryological significance to anatomists.

Keywords: aged, article, case report, clavicle, embryology, human, incidence, male, muscle disease, muscle function, neck dissection, rare disease, soft tissue defect, sternocleidomastoid muscle, trapezius muscle