Suboccipital Muscles

Question 1

What is the innervation of all of the suboccipital muscles?

Answer 1

The suboccipital nerve (dorsal ramus of C1 spinal nerve)

–> found in the suboccipital triangle

Question 2

Rectus capitis posterior major attachments

Answer 2

C2 spinous process –> lateral aspect of the inferior nuchal line

Question 3

Rectus capitis posterior major function

Answer 3

extension and ipsilateral rotation of the head

Question 4

Rectus capitis posterior minor attachments

Answer 4

posterior tubercle of atlas (C1) –> medial aspect of the inferior nuchal line

Question 5

Rectus capitis posterior minor function:

Answer 5

extension of the head

Question 6

Obliquus capitis inferior (inferior oblique) attachments

Answer 6

from the spinous process of C2–> transverse process of C1

Question 7

Obliquus capitis inferior (inferior oblique) action:

Answer 7

ipsilateral rotation of the neck

Question 8

Obliquus capitis superior (superior oblique) attachments

Answer 8

from the transverse process of C1 to the area between superior and inferior nuchal lines on the occipital bones

Question 9

Actions of the Obliquus capitis superior (superior oblique)

Answer 9

extension and lateral flexion of the head (located laterally)