The rectus capitis lateralis, a short, flat muscle, arises from the upper surface of the
transverse process
Each vertebra (: vertebrae) is an irregular bone with a complex structure composed of bone and some hyaline cartilage, that make up the vertebral column or spine, of vertebrates. The proportions of the vertebrae differ according to their spina ...
of the
atlas
An atlas is a collection of maps; it is typically a bundle of world map, maps of Earth or of a continent or region of Earth. Advances in astronomy have also resulted in atlases of the celestial sphere or of other planets.
Atlases have traditio ...
, and is inserted into the under surface of the
jugular process
The jugular process is a quadrilateral or triangular bony plate projecting lateralward from the posterior half of the occipital condyle; it is a part of the lateral part of the occipital bone.
The jugular process is excavated in front by the jugu ...
of the
occipital bone
The occipital bone () is a neurocranium, cranial dermal bone and the main bone of the occiput (back and lower part of the skull). It is trapezoidal in shape and curved on itself like a shallow dish. The occipital bone lies over the occipital lob ...
.
Additional images
File:Rectus capitis lateralis muscle - animation01.gif, Position of rectus capitis lateralis muscle (shown in red). Animation.
File:Rectus capitis lateralis muscle - animation05.gif, Close up. Skull
The skull, or cranium, is typically a bony enclosure around the brain of a vertebrate. In some fish, and amphibians, the skull is of cartilage. The skull is at the head end of the vertebrate.
In the human, the skull comprises two prominent ...
has been removed (except occipital bone
The occipital bone () is a neurocranium, cranial dermal bone and the main bone of the occiput (back and lower part of the skull). It is trapezoidal in shape and curved on itself like a shallow dish. The occipital bone lies over the occipital lob ...
).
File:Rectus capitis lateralis muscle03.png, Lateral view. Still image.
File:Gray129.png, Occipital bone. Outer surface.
File:Gray187.png, Base of skull. Inferior surface.
See also
*
Atlanto-occipital joint
The atlanto-occipital joint (''Articulatio atlantooccipitalis'') is an articulation between the atlas bone and the occipital bone. It consists of a pair of condyloid joints. It is a synovial joint.
Structure
The atlanto-occipital joint is an ...
*
Rectus capitis posterior major muscle
The rectus capitis posterior major (or rectus capitis posticus major) is a muscle in the upper back part of the neck. It is one of the suboccipital muscles. Its inferior attachment is at the spinous process of the axis (Second cervical vertebra); ...
*
Rectus capitis posterior minor muscle
The rectus capitis posterior minor (or rectus capitis posticus minor) is a muscle in the upper back part of the neck. It is one of the suboccipital muscles. Its inferior attachment is at the posterior arch of atlas; its superior attachment is on ...
*
Rectus capitis anterior muscle
References
External links
PTCentral
Muscles of the head and neck
{{muscle-stub