Longus Colli
Exercises that target the longus colli, grouped by whether they stretch or strengthen it.
Longus colli is a deep, three-part muscle running vertically along the front of the cervical vertebrae. It flexes the neck and — its more important role — stabilizes the cervical spine and supports its natural forward curve (lordosis) from the inside.
Studies of forward head posture show longus colli is often under-recruited while the surface sternocleidomastoid compensates, allowing the head to slide forward rather than rotate into a clean nod. Restoring its activity is a core aim of neck-posture rehabilitation.
It is targeted specifically by craniocervical flexion — a gentle "yes" nod performed with the gaze angled down — rather than large chin-to-chest curl-ups, which shift the effort to the wrong muscles.
