Rectus capitis posterior major muscle

Rectus capitis posterior major muscle
File:Rectus capitis posterior major muscle.PNG Deep muscles of the back. (Rect. post. major visible at upper left.)
Details
Latin	Musculus rectus capitis posterior major
Origin	Spinous process of the axis (C2)
Insertion	Inferior nuchal line of the occipital bone
Artery	Occipital Artery
Nerve	Dorsal ramus of C1 (suboccipital nerve), sub-occipital nerve
Actions	Ipsilateral rotation of head and extension
Identifiers
Dorlands /Elsevier	m_22/12550460
TA
TH	{{#property:P1694}}
TE	{{#property:P1693}}
FMA	{{#property:P1402}}
Anatomical terms of muscle [[[d:|edit on Wikidata]]]

The Rectus capitis posterior major (or Rectus capitis posticus major, both being Latin for larger posterior straight muscle of the head) arises by a pointed tendon from the spinous process of the axis, and, becoming broader as it ascends, is inserted into the lateral part of the inferior nuchal line of the occipital bone and the surface of the bone immediately below the line.

In 2011, Scali et al., reported a soft tissue connection bridging from the rectus capitis posterior major to the cervical dura mater. Various clinical manifestations may be linked to this anatomical relationship. It has also been postulated that this connection serves as a monitor of dural tension along with the rectus capitis posterior minor.

As the muscles of the two sides pass upward and lateralward, they leave between them a triangular space, in which the recti capitis posteriores minores are seen.

Its main actions are to extend and rotate the atlanto-occipital joint.

See also

• Atlanto-occipital joint
• Rectus capitis lateralis
• Rectus capitis posterior minor muscle
• Rectus capitis anterior muscle

Additional images

• Rectus capitis posterior major muscle animation small.gif

  Position of rectus capitis posterior major muscle (shown in red).

• Rectus capitis posterior major.png

  Rectus capitis posterior major muscle.

• 

  Occipital bone. Outer surface.

• Suboccipital triangle dissection.jpg

  Rectus capitis posterior major's relationship to other suboccipital muscles.

References

This article incorporates text in the public domain from the 20th edition of Gray's Anatomy (1918)

External links

• -1214644144 at GPnotebook
• PTCentral
• Anatomy photo:01:10-0102 at the SUNY Downstate Medical Center
• Anatomy figure: 01:07-04 at Human Anatomy Online, SUNY Downstate Medical Center