Muscles / Head & neck
Rectus capitis posterior major
- Head & neck
- Neck
- Deep layer
Anatomy
- Origin
- Spinous process of the axis (C2)
- Insertion
- Lateral part of the inferior nuchal line of the occipital bone
- Nerve
- Suboccipital nerve (posterior ramus of C1) (C1)
Actions
- Extends the head
- Rotates the head to the same side
Notes
- High muscle-spindle density; contributes to cervical proprioception.
References (4)
- Standring S, ed. Elsevier. Gray's Anatomy: The Anatomical Basis of Clinical Practice. 42nd ed.
- Dalley AF, Agur AMR. Wolters Kluwer. Moore's Clinically Oriented Anatomy. 9th ed.
- Neumann DA. Elsevier. Kinesiology of the Musculoskeletal System: Foundations for Rehabilitation. 3rd ed.
- Betts JG, Young KA, Wise JA, et al. OpenStax (free, openly licensed textbook). Anatomy and Physiology 2e