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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 The suboccipital muscles are a group of muscles defined by their location to the occiput. Suboccipital muscles are located below the occipital bone The occipital bone () is a neurocranium, cranial dermal bone and the main bone of the occiput ( ...
. Its inferior attachment is at the
spinous 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 axis (Second cervical vertebra); its superior attachment is onto the outer surface 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 ...
on and around the side part of the inferior nuchal line. The muscle is innervated by the suboccipital nerve (the posterior ramus of cervical spinal nerve C1). The muscle acts to extend the head and rotate the head to its side.


Anatomy

The rectus capitis posterior major muscle is one of the
suboccipital muscles The suboccipital muscles are a group of muscles defined by their location to the occiput. Suboccipital muscles are located below the occipital bone The occipital bone () is a neurocranium, cranial dermal bone and the main bone of the occiput ( ...
. It forms the superomedial boundary of the suboccipital triangle. The muscle extends obliquely superiolaterally from its inferior attachment to its superior attachment. It becomes broader superiorly.


Attachments

Its inferior attachment is (via a pointed tendon) at (the external aspect of) the (bifid)
spinous 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 axis (cervical vertebra C2). Its superior attachment is at (the lateral portion of) the inferior nuchal line and the surface of the occipital bone just inferior to this line.


Innervation

The muscle receives motor innervation from the suboccipital nerve (the posterior ramus of cervical spinal nerve C1).


Relations

Superiorly, as the two muscles diverge laterally, they create between them a triangular space in which parts of the two recti capitis posteriores minores muscles are exposed.


Actions/movements

The muscle extends the head and (acting together with the obliquus capitis inferior muscle) ipsilaterally rotates the head.


Function

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


Research

A soft tissue connection bridging from the rectus capitis posterior major to the cervical dura mater was described in 2011. 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 and the obliquus capitis inferior.


See also

* Atlanto-occipital joint * Rectus capitis lateralis *
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


Additional images

File:Rectus_capitis_posterior_major_muscle_animation_small.gif, Position of rectus capitis posterior major muscle (shown in red). File:Rectus capitis posterior major.png, Rectus capitis posterior major muscle. File:Gray129.png, Occipital bone. Outer surface. File:Suboccipital triangle dissection.jpg, Rectus capitis posterior major's relationship to other suboccipital muscles.


References


External links


PTCentral
* * Muscles of the head and neck {{muscle-stub