In the dog and the cat, this muscle, which is blended above with the sterno-mastoid (see [p. 153]), to be inserted with it into the mastoid process and the mastoid crest, covers the neck for a considerable extent from the superior curved line of the occipital bone to which it is attached, to the trapezius with which it unites posteriorly, but from which it separates below. Between these two extreme points of its superior portion it is attached to the cervical ligament.
In the pig and in ruminants, in which the trapezius approaches more closely to the head, the mastoido-humeral occupies, in consequence, a less extent of the cervical region.
In the horse, the mastoido-humeral neither covers the neck nor joins the trapezius; indeed, we have already shown that it is separated by a considerable distance from the head. In the limited interval between these two muscles a part of the rhomboid and parts of other muscles are seen with which we shall soon be occupied.
This muscle, as regards the horse, is described by some anatomists as consisting of two parts: one anterior, or superficial; the other posterior, or deep. In reality, the first only corresponds to the mastoido-humeral, which we are considering; the posterior may be more exactly regarded as representing a special muscle of quadrupeds, but which is here a little deformed, the omo-trachelian (see [p. 155]).
When the mastoido-humeral contracts, taking its fixed point above, it acts as an extensor of the humerus, and carries the entire fore-limb forwards. If it takes its fixed point below—that is to say, at the humerus—it inclines the head and neck to its own side. If it contracts at the same time as the mastoido-humeral of the opposite side, then the head and the neck are carried into the position of extension.
The Sterno-mastoid ([Fig. 66], 5; [Fig. 68], 11; [Fig. 69], 15; [Fig. 70], 17).—Having described the clavicular portion of the sterno-cleido-mastoid in connection with the mastoido-humeral, because it forms a part of the latter, we have, in order to complete the homologies of this muscle, to study now that which corresponds to its sternal portion. This is the sterno-mastoid muscle. In all the quadrupeds with which we are here concerned this muscle arises from the anterior extremity of the sternum; narrow and elongated in form, it passes towards the head in a direction parallel to the anterior border of the mastoido-humeral, from which it is separated by an interspace which, along its whole length, lodges superficially the jugular vein; hence the name of jugular groove, which is given to this part of the neck ([Fig. 10], 18).
It is inserted, in the case of the dog and cat, into the mastoid process, where it is united with the mastoido-humeral; in the ox it is divided into two portions—one which goes to the base of the occipital bone, the other passing in front of the masseter is by the medium of the aponeurosis of this latter attached to the zygomatic crest. This latter part is considered by some writers as forming a portion of the panniculus muscle of the neck.
In the horse it is attached to the angle of the lower jaw by a tendon, which an aponeurosis that passes under the parotid gland binds to the mastoido-humeral muscle and the mastoid process.
By reason of this insertion into the jaw, in the case of the solipeds, this muscle is further named the sterno-maxillary.
When it contracts, it flexes the head, and inclines it laterally. This movement is changed to direct flexion when the two sterno-mastoid muscles contract simultaneously.