Skeletal muscle is often referred to as ‘voluntary’ muscle due to the fact that we think of its contraction being under conscious control; this is a misconception however, as skeletal muscle is involved in various movements which are under a subconscious level (e.g. breathing). Striated muscle can be further subdivided into three classifications based on its location and morphology: Circular muscles (also known as skeletal sphincter muscles) have a fascicular pattern where the fascicles are arranged in concentric rings. Muscles with this arrangement surround external body openings, which they close by contracting. Muscles with this fascicular arrangement may be termed as orbicular muscles (Latin: orbiculus = small disc), such as the orbicularis oculi (which covers the eye) and orbicularis oris (which surrounds the mouth). The posterior belly arises from the medial surface of mastoid notch, a deep groove found on the mastoid process of temporal bone. Cesmebasi, Alper (1 January 2015), Tubbs, R. Shane; Rizk, Elias; Shoja, Mohammadali M.; Loukas, Marios (eds.), "Chapter 31 - Anatomy of the Cervical Plexus and Its Branches", Nerves and Nerve Injuries, San Diego: Academic Press, pp.441–449, doi: 10.1016/b978-0-12-410390-0.00032-9, ISBN 978-0-12-410390-0

growth in the girth of muscle fibers is thought to take place through ‘splitting’ of existing myofibrils as a result of stress placed on sarcomeres during physical activity, thereby increasing the mass of the muscle as whole. Sinnatamby, C. S., & Last, R. J. (2011). Last's anatomy: Regional and applied. (12th edition). Edinburgh: Churchill Livingstone. Regardless of its morphology or type, muscle tissue is composed of specialized cells known as muscle cells or myocytes(myo- [muscle, Greek = mys]), commonly referred to as muscle fibers (all of these terms are interchangeable); this is due to their extensive length and appearance. Kayalioglu, Gulgun (1 January 2009), Watson, Charles; Paxinos, George; Kayalioglu, Gulgun (eds.), "Chapter 4 - The Spinal Nerves", The Spinal Cord, San Diego: Academic Press, pp.37–56, doi: 10.1016/b978-0-12-374247-6.50008-0, ISBN 978-0-12-374247-6 If the mandible is fixed and the muscle is acting from below, it causes an elevation of the hyoid bone and larynx. This results in the closing of the epiglottis, preventing the inhalation of the food bolus during swallowing.

A large group of muscles in the cervical area, responsible for the movement of the head in all directions Obliquus capitis inferior, that arises from the spinous process of axis and inserts on the transverse process of atlas. The function of the sternocleidomastoid muscle depends on whether the muscle acts alone or together with its contralateral counterpart.

growth in the length of muscle fibers occurs as a result of new sarcomeres being added to the end of existing myofibrils. The stylohyoid muscle is innervated by the stylohyoid branch of the facial nerve (CN VII). Its blood supply is derived from the facial, occipital and posterior auricular arteries.In a pennate pattern, the fascicles are short and they attach obliquely to a central tendon that runs the length of the muscle. Pennate muscles are of three forms: The name "strap muscles" comes from their long and flat shape, similar to a belt or strap 3. Clinical importance