Suboccipital muscles
Last reviewed: 23.04.2024
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The suboccipital muscles (mm. Suboccipitales) include the large posterior rectus muscle of the head, the small posterior rectus muscle of the head, the upper and lower oblique muscles of the head. These muscles are located deep under the semi-wavy, longest and belt muscles of the head. Suboccipital muscles restrict the suboccipital triangular space (trigonum suboccipitile), which contains the vertebral artery, the posterior branch of the first cervical spinal nerve, the posterior arch of the atlant and the posterior atlanto-occipital membrane.
The large posterior rectus muscle of the head (m. Rectus capitis posterior major) begins on the spinous process of the axial vertebra and is attached to the occipital bone under the lower euphoric line.
Function: tilts the head, tilts it sideways, with one-sided cutting turns its head to its side.
Innervation: the suboccipital nerve.
Blood supply: deep cervical artery.
The small posterior rectus muscle of the head (m. Rectus capitis posterior minor) begins at the posterior tubercle of the atlant and attaches to the occipital bone under the lower nasal line, deeper and medially from the large posterior rectus muscle of the head.
Function: tilts and tilts the head to the side.
Innervation: the suboccipital nerve (CI).
Blood supply: deep cervical artery.
The lower oblique muscle of the head (m. Obliquus capitis inferior) begins on the spinous process of the axial vertebra, passes upward and laterally, and attaches itself to the transverse process of the atlas.
Function: unbends, tilts to the side and rotates the head around the longitudinal axis of the axial vertebra tooth.
Innervation: the suboccipital nerve (CI).
Blood supply: deep cervical artery.
The upper oblique muscle of the head (m. Obliquus capitis superior) begins on the transverse process of the atlas, passes upward and medially, is attached to the occipital bone above the lower euphoric line. The muscle lies deeper and lateral from the place of attachment of the semi-awned muscle of the head.
Function: with bilateral contraction, the muscle extends the head, with one-sided cutting, tilts the head laterally in its direction.
Innervation: the suboccipital nerve (CI).
Blood supply: deep cervical artery.
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