The Suboccipital Muscles
The suboccipital muscles are a group of four muscles situated underneath the
occipital bone. All the muscles in this group are innervated by the suboccipital
nerve.
They are located within the suboccipital compartment of the neck; deep to the
sternocleidomastoid, trapezius, splenius and semispinalis muscles. They collectively
act to extend and rotate the head.
In this article, we shall look at the anatomy of the suboccipital muscles – their
attachments, actions and innervation.
Rectus Capitis Posterior Major
The rectus capitis posterior major is the larger of the rectus capitis muscles. It is
located laterally to the rectus capitis posterior minor.
Attachments: Originates from the spinous process of the C2 vertebrae (axis), and
inserts into the lateral part of the inferior nuchal line of the occipital bone.
Actions: Extension and rotation of the head.
Innervation: Suboccipital nerve (posterior ramus of C1).
Rectus Capitis Posterior Minor
The rectus capitis posterior minor is the most medial of the suboccipital muscles.
There is a connective tissue bridge between this muscle and the dura mater (outer
membrane of the meninges) – which may play a role in cervicogenic headaches.
Attachments: Runs from the posterior tubercle (a rudimentary spinous process) of
the C1 vertebra to the medial part of the inferior nuchal line of the occipital bone.
The suboccipital muscles are a group of four muscles situated underneath the
occipital bone. All the muscles in this group are innervated by the suboccipital
nerve.
They are located within the suboccipital compartment of the neck; deep to the
sternocleidomastoid, trapezius, splenius and semispinalis muscles. They collectively
act to extend and rotate the head.
In this article, we shall look at the anatomy of the suboccipital muscles – their
attachments, actions and innervation.
Rectus Capitis Posterior Major
The rectus capitis posterior major is the larger of the rectus capitis muscles. It is
located laterally to the rectus capitis posterior minor.
Attachments: Originates from the spinous process of the C2 vertebrae (axis), and
inserts into the lateral part of the inferior nuchal line of the occipital bone.
Actions: Extension and rotation of the head.
Innervation: Suboccipital nerve (posterior ramus of C1).
Rectus Capitis Posterior Minor
The rectus capitis posterior minor is the most medial of the suboccipital muscles.
There is a connective tissue bridge between this muscle and the dura mater (outer
membrane of the meninges) – which may play a role in cervicogenic headaches.
Attachments: Runs from the posterior tubercle (a rudimentary spinous process) of
the C1 vertebra to the medial part of the inferior nuchal line of the occipital bone.
