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The interactive dog atlas · Muscles · Neck and shoulder

Brachiocephalicus musculus brachiocephalicus

The brachiocephalicus is the band of muscle on the front of the neck, from the head to the bone of the upper arm. It has two parts, separated where the remnant of the collarbone lies.

Open in the interactive atlas Guide: Muscles Worksheet

Educational material, not a diagnostic tool. Written by the Mantrailing România team from veterinary sources we read. Updated 14.11.2026.

Dog in left lateral view — exterior, muscles, skeleton and organs Vector study after the Ellenberger, Baum and Dittrich plates: a standing dog, head to the left, deep chest and digitigrade limbs. The four layers use the same contour: exterior with body regions, superficial muscles, skeleton and organs.
Brachiocephalicus on the atlas drawing, "Muscles" layer. Left lateral view, after the Ellenberger, Baum and Dittrich plates.

Where it is

The band on the front of the neck, from the head to the humerus.

Layer
Muscles
System
Muscles
Region
Neck and shoulder

What it is and what it does

It links the arm to the head and neck and has two parts, separated by the clavicular intersection, where the vestige of the clavicle lies: the cleidobrachialis, attached to the humerus, and the cleidocephalicus, attached to the nape and the mastoid process. It pulls the limb forward; when the limb is fixed under the body's weight, it extends the neck or turns the head.

Worth remembering

It pulls the front leg forward; when the leg is planted on the ground, it extends the neck or turns the head.

Names

  • Latin term: musculus brachiocephalicus.
  • In Romanian: Brahiocefalicul (Romanian page).

Guides it appears in

From the same region: Neck and shoulder

All structures, in the atlas · Flashcards: muscles