Fiber types of the anterior and lateral cervical muscles in elderly males

Post-printPurpose: The anterior and lateral cervical muscles (ALCM) are generally considered to be postural, yet few studies have investigated ALCM fiber types to help clarify the function of these muscles. This study aimed to systematically investigate ALCM fiber types in cadavers. Methods: Anterior and lateral cervical muscles (4 scalenus anterior, medius, posterior muscles; 5 longus colli, 5 longus capitis taken bilaterally from one cadaver) were removed from four male embalmed cadavers (mean age 87.25 years). Paraffin embedded specimens were sectioned then stained immunohistochemically to identify type I and II skeletal muscle fibers. Proportional fiber type numbers and cross-sectional area (CSA) occupied by fiber types were determined using stereology (random systematic sampling). Results were analyzed using ANOVA (P