| Rectus capitis posterior major muscle | |
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| 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.
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
 Occipital bone. Outer surface. |
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 As such, some of the information contained herein may be outdated.
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