Head and Neck Muscles

Rectus capitis posterior major (A,O,I,N)

A: extension, ipsilateral rotation of head

O: spinous process C2

I: inferior nuchal line

N: suboccipital nerve (C1)

Rectus capitis posterior minor (A,O,I,N)

A: extension of head

O: posterior tubercle of C1

I: inferior nuchal line

N: suboccipital nerve (C1)

obliquis capitis inferior (A,O,I,N)

A: ipsilateral rotation of atlas

O: spinous process of C2

I: transverse process of C1

N: suboccipital nerve (C1)

obliquis capitis superior (A,O,I,N)

A: extension and lateral flexion

O: transverse process of C1

I: between superior and inferior nuchal line

N: suboccipital nerve (C1)

splenius capitis (A,O,I,N)

A: extension, lateral flexion, rotation

O: ligamentum nuchae, spinous process C7-T3

I: mastoid process, superior nuchal line

N: dorsal rami of cervical spinal nerves

spinalis capitis (A,O,I,N)

A: extends and rotates head

O: transverse and articular processes C4-T6

I: between superior and inferior nuchal lines

N: dorsal rami of spinal nerves

Semispinalis capitis (A,O,I,N)

A: extension and contralateral rotation

O: transverse processes of C4-T12

I: between superior and inferior nuchal lines

N: dorsal rami of spinal nerves