Rectus Posterior Minor Capitis Muscle
Musculus rectus posterior minor capitis
Read moreQuick Facts
Origin: Posterior arch of atlas (C1).
Insertion: Inferior nuchal line of occipital bone and adjacent area.
Action: Extends head.
Innervation: Suboccipital nerve (posterior ramus of first cervical nerve).
Arterial Supply: Vertebral artery and descending branch of occipital artery.
Origin
The rectus capitis posterior minor muscle originates from the posterior tubercle on the posterior arch of the atlas (first cervical vertebra).
Insertion
The rectus capitis posterior minor muscle inserts into the medial portion of the inferior nuchal line of the occipital bone and the adjacent area located inferior to the line.
Actions
The rectus capitis posterior minor muscle extends the head at the atlantooccipital joints (Standring, 2016).
References
Standring, S. (2016) Gray's Anatomy: The Anatomical Basis of Clinical Practice. Gray's Anatomy Series 41st edn.: Elsevier Limited.
