Short neck and head joint muscles

The short neck muscles (Mm. suboccipitales) belong to the autochthonous back muscles because they are innervated by the R. dorsalis of the first spinal nerve (C1). It consists of the following muscles: Mm. recti capitis posterior, major and minor as well as Mm. obliquii capitis superior and inferior.

A schematic drawing of the muscles (Mm. recti capitis posterior, major etc.) can be displayed by clicking on the respective name in the "WebViewer".

	1) M. rectus capitis posterior minor	2) M. rectus capitis posterior major
origin	spinous process rudiment (tuberculum posterius) of the atlas (1st cervical vertebra)	spinous process (proc. spinosus) of the axis (2nd cervical vertebra)
insertion	Linea nuchea inferior of the Os occipitale	Linea nuchea inferior of the Os occipitale
function	In case of one-sided contraction a slight inclination and rotation of the head to the ipsilateral side occurs, in case of bilateral activation a dorsal extension.	In the case of one-sided contraction, the head is tilted and rotated towards the ipsilateral side, and in the case of bilateral contraction, a dorsal extension occurs.

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	3) M. rectus capitis posterior superior	4) M. rectus capitis posterior inferior
origin	transverse process of the atlas	spinous process of the axis
insertion	lateral third of the Linea nuchea inferior on the Os occipitale	transverse process of the atlas
function	In the case of one-sided contraction, the head is inclined towards the ipsilateral side and rotated towards the contralateral side; in the case of bilateral activation, a dorsal extension occurs.	In the case of one-sided contraction, the head rotates to the ipsilateral side; in the case of bilateral activation, a dorsal extension occurs.

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Further links

Exercises

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