This post covers the anatomy of the suboccipital muscles, including the anterior suboccipital muscles. which are often described separately.
The suboccipital muscles attach the atlas and axis to the bottom of the occiput. They secure the head on the atlas and fine-tune movement of the cranium on the atlas and axis.
The posterior suboccipital muscles include:
- Rectus capitis major
- Rectus capitis minor
- Obliquus capitis superior
- Obliquus capitis inferior
The anterior sub-occipital muscles help to flex the head on the neck. They include:
- rectus capitis anterior
- rectus capitis lateralis
The Posterior Suboccipital muscles
Rectus Capitis Posterior Major attaches the transverse process of the axis to the inferior nuchal line.
Action: extension and rotation of the head
Rectus Capitis Posterior Minor attaches to the posterior tubercle of the atlas and the superior nuchal line.
Action: extension of the head
Obliquus Capitis Superior attaches to the transverse process of the atlas and the inferior nuchal line.
Action: extension of the head
Obliquus Capitis Inferior attaches to the spinous process of the axis and the transverse process of the atlas.
Action: extension and rotation of the atlas on the axis.
Click here for the Wikipedia entry for Suboccipital muscles
The Anterior Suboccipital Muscles
These muscles are often not included in the list of suboccipital muscles but are referred to as the anterior suboccipital muscles.
Rectus Capitis Anterior attaches to the lateral mass and transverse process of the atlas and the basilar portion of the occiput.
Action: Flexion of the atlantooccipital joint
Rectus Capitis Lateralis Attaches to the jugular process of the occiput and the transverse process of the atlas.
Action: lateral flexion of the atlantooccipital joint
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