noun
any of four pairs of muscles extending from the cervical vertebrae to the second rib; involved in moving the neck and in breathing
• Syn: ↑scalenus, ↑musculus scalenus
• Hypernyms: ↑skeletal muscle, ↑striated muscle
* * *
scalene muscle,
any one of several triangular muscles that connect the upper ribs with vertebrae.
Useful english dictionary. 2012.