Rectus capitis anterior
Neck
Deep muscle — it lies under other muscles. X-ray makes the muscles over it see-through.
- Origin
- Front of the lateral mass of the atlas (C1)
- Insertion
- Basilar part of the occipital bone, in front of the foramen magnum
- Action
- Flexes the head at the joint between the skull and the atlas (nodding)
- Nerve supply
- Anterior rami of the cervical spinal nerves (C1–C2)
A short muscle between the first neck vertebra and the base of the skull, behind the longus capitis. It helps make the small nodding movement of the head.
Rectus capitis anterior anatomy page →