Rectus capitis posterior major
Neck
Deep muscle — it lies under other muscles. X-ray makes the muscles over it see-through.
- Origin
- Spinous process of the axis (C2)
- Insertion
- Outer part of the inferior nuchal line of the occipital bone
- Action
- Extends the head and turns it to the same side
- Nerve supply
- Suboccipital nerve (C1)
One of four small suboccipital muscles just under the base of the skull, deep in the back of the neck. It tilts the head back and helps turn it.
Rectus capitis posterior major anatomy page →