Rectus capitis posterior major muscle

Rectus capitis posterior major muscle
Deep muscles of the back. (Rect. post. major visible at upper left.)
Latin	musculus rectus capitis posterior major
Gray's	subject #116 401
Origin	Spinous process of the axis (C2)
Insertion	Inferior nucheal line of the occipital bone
Artery
Nerve	Dorsal ramus of C1 (suboccipital nerve)
Actions

The Rectus capitis posterior major (Rectus capitis posticus major) arises by a pointed tendon from the spinous process of the axis, and, becoming broader as it ascends, is inserted into the lateral part of the inferior nuchal line of the occipital bone and the surface of the bone immediately below the line.

In 2011, Scali et al., reported a soft tissue connection bridging from the rectus capitis posterior major to the cervical dura mater. Various clinical manifestations may be linked to this anatomical relationship (Spine 2011). It has also been postulated that this connection serves as a monitor of dural tension along with the rectus capitis posterior minor.

As the muscles of the two sides pass upward and lateralward, they leave between them a triangular space, in which the Recti capitis posteriores minores are seen.

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

See also

• atlanto-occipital joint
• Rectus capitis lateralis
• Rectus capitis posterior minor muscle
• Rectus capitis anterior muscle

Action: Extends and rotates head Blood supply: Vertebral and occipital arteries Nerve: Suboccipital

Additional Images

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  Occipital bone. Outer surface.

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  Rectus capitis posterior major's relationship to other suboccipital muscles.

External links

• LUC rpmj
• -1214644144 at GPnotebook
• PTCentral
• SUNY Labs 01:10-0102
• SUNY Figs 01:07-04

This article was originally based on an entry from a public domain edition of Gray's Anatomy. As such, some of the information contained within it may be outdated.