Longus colli is the longest and most medial of the prevertebral muscles.

It arises from the:

• anterior bodies of the T1 to T3 vertebrae
• anterior tubercles of the transverse processes of C3 to C7 vertebrae

It inserts into the:

• anterior tubercle of the atlas
• vertebral bodies of C2 to C4

Innervation is from the anterior primary rami of C2 to C6.

Its action is to flex and rotate the cervical spine.