İKİNCİ FEN · ÜÇÜNCÜ BÂB · BİRİNCİ FASIL · Yedinci Madde
**Seventh Section**
Concerning the throat’s bone, and the neck's muscles and movements.
Know, O esteemed one! The anatomists have stated: The throat is a system, and it has two pairs of muscles descending from it which draw downwards. One pair concerns the muscles described in relation to the larynx. The other pair originates from the sternum, ascends towards the *azm-i lami* [hyoid bone], and from there attaches to the throat, drawing it downward.
The palatal muscles are two *naghnaghas* [palate structures] situated within the palate, whose muscles are known; they were created to assist in swallowing. The *azm-i lami* has muscles that are both specific to itself and shared with other muscles. Its specific muscles are three pairs. The first pair originates from either side of the chin and attaches to the straight line upon that bone, drawing it towards the chin. The second pair emerges from the lower part of the chin, passes through the underside of the tongue, and attaches to the upper surface of this bone, also drawing the bone toward the chin. A third pair arises from the projections resembling arrows beside the ear, attaching to the undersurface of the straight line upon the *azm-i lami*, drawing it downwards.
The muscles shared by the *azm-i lami* will be explained shortly.
There are nine [124/a] muscles that move the tongue; two originate from the projections and expand to attach to the sides of the tongue. The second pair arises from the upper surface of the *azm-i lami*; these muscles are long and attach in the middle of the tongue. The third pair originates from the underside of the hyoid bone, passing between the transverse and longitudinal muscles to enable lateral movement of the tongue. A fourth pair is known to facilitate the folding of the tongue; their location lies beneath the aforementioned muscles, with their fibers spreading laterally under the tongue. These two muscles are attached to all the bones of the lower jaw.
There is also one muscle solely belonging to the tongue which connects and draws together the tongue and the *azm-i lami*.
There are two pairs of muscles that move the neck; one pair on the right side, and one pair on the left. If either of these contracts alone, the neck inclines towards that side. If either pair contracts, the neck turns in that direction. If all four contract together, the neck remains straight without bending. If all four remain in their respective positions, the neck remains normal in its state. Therefore, reflect upon the manifold beautiful arts of the Most High Allah within only the head and neck of humankind.
“Allah, the most beautiful of those who create, is free from every imperfection.” [577]. In the translation of *Al-Qanun fi’t-Tibb*, it is stated, “It emerges from the cranium.” (Ibn Sina, op. cit., Book One, p. 57).
In the translation of *Al-Qanun fi’t-Tibb*, it is stated, “It emerges from the cranium.” (Ibn Sina, op. cit., Book One, p. 57).
There are two muscles that facilitate the forward bending movement of the head, originating from either side of the head. For their fibers emerge from behind the ear above and from beneath the sternum below, uniting as a single entity behind the ear [to the head]. Thus, if only one of these moves, the head inclines towards that side. And if both move together, the head inclines forward in a balanced manner. There is one pair of muscles that bend the head and neck together, situated on the back of the esophagus. They reach and join with the first and second vertebrae. If the muscle near the esophagus contracts, only the head bends. If the muscle joining with the vertebrae contracts, the neck also bends forward. There are four pairs of muscles that bend and rotate the head towards the rear; the first pair is concealed beneath the aforementioned muscles. The origin of these pairs lies above the joint between the head and the neck. Another pair originates from the sides of the first vertebra. A third reaches the spinal projection of the second vertebra, its function being to straighten the head during bending [123/a] and return it to its natural state. The fourth pair originates above the others, sloping down and passing beneath the third pair to reach the side of the first vertebra. The first two pairs rotate the head backward without tilting it sideways. The third pair keeps the head straight. The fourth pair rotates the head backward on its socket.