The longus colli is situated on the anterior surface of the vertebral column, between the atlas and the third thoracic vertebra.

It is commonly injured in rear end whiplash injuries, usually resulting from a car crash.

This presents with acute onset of neck pain, stiffness, dysphagia and odynophagia, and must be distinguished from retropharyngeal abscess and other sinister conditions.

Imaging diagnosis is by CT or MRI, demonstrating calcification in the muscle in addition to retropharyngeal oedema.

[1][2][3] This article incorporates text in the public domain from page 394 of the 20th edition of Gray's Anatomy (1918)