
Suboccipital Muscles

Rectus Capitis Posterior Major Muscle
Primary Actions of the Rectus Capitis Posterior Major Muscle
- Rectus Capitis Posterior Minor
- Obliquus Capitis Superior
- Rectus Capitis Anterior
- Obliquus Capitis Inferior
- Obliquus Capitis Inferior on the opposite side

Rectus Capitis Posterior Minor
Primary Actions of the Rectus Capitis Posterior Minor Muscle
- Rectus Capitis Posterior Major
- Obliquus Capitis Superior
- Rectus Capitis Anterior

Obliquus Capitis Superior Muscle
Primary Actions of the Obliquus Capitis Superior Muscle
- Rectus Capitis Posterior Major,
- Rectus Capitis Posterior Minor
- Rectus Capitis Anterior
- Rectus Capitis Lateralis
- Rectus Capitis Lateralis on opposite side

Obliquus Capitis Inferior Muscle
Origin: Lateral surface of the spinous process and adjacent laminae of C2 (axis)
Insertion: Inferoposterior aspect of the transverse process of C1 (atlas)
Action: Rotates the head to the contracted side
Innervation: Posterior Primary Ramus of C1
Blood Supply: Branches from the vertebral artery
Primary Actions of the Obliquus Capitis Inferior Muscle
1. Ipsilateral rotation of the cervical spine when acting unilaterally
Agonists:
- Rectus Capitis Posterior Major
Antagonists:
- Rectus Capitis Posterior Major on opposite side
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For pain and symptom information see: Suboccipital Muscles Pain and Symptoms