(n) any of four pairs of muscles extending from the cervical vertebrae to the second rib; involved in moving the neck and in breathing, Syn. scalene muscle, musculus scalenus
(n) discomfort and vascular symptoms and loss of sensation in a shoulder and arm; caused by a scalene muscle compressing the subclavian artery and part of the brachial plexus
a. [ L. scalenus, Gr. &unr_;: cf. F. scalène. ] 1. (Geom.) (a) Having the sides and angles unequal; -- said of a triangle. (b) Having the axis inclined to the base, as a cone. [ 1913 Webster ]
2. (Anat.) (a) Designating several triangular muscles called scalene muscles. (b) Of or pertaining to the scalene muscles. [ 1913 Webster ]
Scalene muscles (Anat.), a group of muscles, usually three on each side in man, extending from the cervical vertebrae to the first and second ribs. [ 1913 Webster ]