Rectus capitis posterior major muscle

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Rectus capitis posterior major muscle
Rectus capitis posterior major muscle.PNG
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.

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.

[edit] See also

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

[edit] Additional images

[edit] External links

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 As such, some of the information contained within it may be outdated.