title: Bipartite clavicular attachment of the sternocleidomastoid muscle: a case report.
abstract: Morphological variations of the sternocleidomastoid (SCM) muscle assume relevance during attempted surgical interventions in the cervical region. The present study reports bipartite clavicular attachment of the SCM in the neck of an adult male cadaver during performance of a routine anatomy demonstration. The anomaly was unilaterally observed on the left side of the neck. The clavicular head of the muscle exhibited two bellies, one medial and one lateral. While the medial belly was fused with the sternal head, the lateral belly appeared to blend with the medial. Cranially, the SCM attached to the mastoid process and superior nuchal line. We have attempted to elucidate the embryological basis of the above muscular variant. Additionally, we discuss its clinical relevance, highlighting the utility of the SCM in various reconstructive procedures. We assert that detailed anatomical knowledge of such SCM variants is of utility not only to the gross anatomist, but also for neck and orthopaedic surgeons and anaesthetists. Moreover, radiologists require familiarity with such aberrations to decipher magnetic resonance imaging scans of the cervical region.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anatomy, Vardhaman Mahavir Medical College and Safdarjung Hospital, New Delhi, India.
authors.forename: Vandana
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Mehta
authors.forename: Jyoti
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Arora
authors.forename: Ashwani
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kumar
authors.forename: Ashish Kumar
authors.initials: AK
authors.lastname: Nayar
authors.forename: Hitendra Kumar
authors.initials: HK
authors.lastname: Ioh
authors.forename: Vanita
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Gupta
authors.forename: Rajesh Kuamr
authors.initials: RK
authors.lastname: Suri
authors.forename: Gayatri
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Rath