Anatomy & Physiology: Muscles—Rectus Capitis Posterior Minor.
Structure.
- Origin: posterior tubercle of C1.
- Insertion: medial 1/2 of inferior nuchal line.
Function.
- Concentric action: head protraction at AOJ (atlanto-occipital joint). Lesser: head extension, lateral flexion of head.
- Reverse mover action: C1 retraction, C1 extension, lateral flexion of C1.
- Eccentric action: controls/restrains/slows retraction, flexion, and lateral flexion of head.
- Isometric action: stabilization of head and AOJ.
- Innervation: suboccipital nerve.
- Arterial supply: occipital artery, deep cervical artery, branches of vertebral artery.
Clinical Significance.
References
Biel, A. (2015). Trail guide to the body: A hands-on guide to locating muscles, bones and more.
Cedars-Sinai. (2018). Vertebrae of the spine. Retrieved from https://www.cedars-sinai.org/health-library/diseases-and-conditions/v/vertebrae-of-the-spine.html
Clark, M., Lucett, S., Sutton, B. G., & National Academy of Sports Medicine. (2014). NASM essentials of corrective exercise training. Burlington, MA: Jones & Bartlett Learning.
Jenkins, G., & Tortora, G. J. (2012). Anatomy and Physiology: From Science to Life, 3rd Edition International Stu. John Wiley & Sons.
Muscolino, J. E. (2017). The muscular system manual: The skeletal muscles of the human body.
