scalene muscles

from The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48

Scalene \Sca*lene"\, a. [L. scalenus, Gr. ?: cf. F. scal[`e]ne.]
   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]