sternocleidomastoid muscle

/ˌˈstʌrnoʊˈklaɪdoʊˌmæˈstɔɪd ˌmʌsəl/

Definitions of sternocleidomastoid muscle

1. noun

   one of two thick muscles running from the sternum and clavicle to the mastoid and occipital bone; turns head obliquely to the opposite side; when acting together they flex the neck and extend the head
   synonyms: musculus sternocleidomastoideus, sternocleido mastoideus, sternocleidomastoid

   type of:

   skeletal muscle, striated muscle

   a muscle that is connected at either or both ends to a bone and so move parts of the skeleton; a muscle that is characterized by transverse stripes