posterior neck muscles: suboccipitals

Question 1

Rectus capitis posterior major (more lateral)

Answer 1

• origin: spinous process of axis
• insertion: inferior nuchal line
• action: extends the head, rotate to same side

Question 2

Rectus capitis posterior minor (more medial)

Answer 2

-origin: posterior tubercle of atlas
- insertion: inferior nuchal line medially
- action: extends the head

Question 3

• Obliquus capitis superior (above and laterally)

Answer 3

• origin: transverse process of atlas
• insertion: occipital bone above inferior nuchal line
• action:extends the head, rotates the head to the same side

Question 4

Obliquus capitis inferior (below and laterally)

Answer 4

• origin: spinous process of the axis
• insertion: transverse process of atlas
• action: rotates the head to the same side