Rectus capitis posterior major muscle

Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
Rectus capitis posterior major muscle
Dorsal ramus of C1 (suboccipital nerve), sub-occipital nerve
ActionsIpsilateral rotation of head and extension
Identifiers
Latinmusculus rectus capitis posterior major
TA98A04.2.02.004
TA22249
FMA32525
Anatomical terms of muscle]

The rectus capitis posterior major (or rectus capitis posticus major[

inferior nuchal line. The muscle is innervated by the suboccipital nerve (the posterior ramus of cervical spinal nerve C1
). The muscle acts to extend the head and rorate the head to its side.

Anatomy

The rectus capitis posterior major muscle is one of the suboccipital muscles. It forms the superomedial boundary of the suboccipital triangle.[1]

The muscle extends obliquely[2] superiolaterally from its inferior attachment to its superior attachment.[1][2] It becomes broader superiorly.[1]

Attachments

Its inferior attachment is (via a pointed tendon

spinous process of the axis (cervical vertebra C2).[1]

Its superior attachment is at (the lateral portion of

inferior nuchal line[1] and the surface of the occipital bone just inferior to this line.[1][2]

Innervation

The muscle receives motor innervation from the suboccipital nerve (the posterior ramus of cervical spinal nerve C1).[2][1]

Relations

Superiorly, as the two muscles diverge laterally, they create between them a triangular space in which parts of the two

recti capitis posteriores minores muscles are exposed.[1]

Actions/movements

The muscle extends the head and (acting together with the obliquus capitis inferior muscle[1]) ipsilaterally rotates the head.[1][2]

Function

Its main actions are to extend and rotate the atlanto-occipital joint.

Research

A soft tissue connection bridging from the rectus capitis posterior major to the cervical

obliquus capitis inferior.[citation needed
]

See also

Additional images

  • Position of rectus capitis posterior major muscle (shown in red).
    Position of rectus capitis posterior major muscle (shown in red).
  • Rectus capitis posterior major muscle.
    Rectus capitis posterior major muscle.
  • Occipital bone. Outer surface.
    Occipital bone. Outer surface.
  • Rectus capitis posterior major's relationship to other suboccipital muscles.
    Rectus capitis posterior major's relationship to other suboccipital muscles.

References

Public domain This article incorporates text in the public domain from page 401 of the 20th edition of Gray's Anatomy (1918)

  1. ^
    OCLC 1201341621.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link
    )
  2. ^ .
  3. .

External links