Obliquus Capitis Superior Muscle

Author: Scott A. Sheffield MS

Last update:

The obliquus capitis superior is one of the short neck muscles located on the posterior aspect of the neck.

image descriptionObliquus Capitis Superior Muscle

Posterior view of the occipital region of the skull, cervical and thoracic regions of the spinal column, upper arm, scapulae and the most superficial layer of the attached muscles. The labelled muscles are Trapezius, Deltoid and Latissimus Dorsi.
Posterior view of the occipital region of the skull, cervical and thoracic regions of the spinal column, upper arm, scapulae and a deeper layer of the attached muscles. The labelled muscles are Sternocleidomastoid, Semispinalis Capitis, Splenius Capitis, Splenius Cervicis, Longissimus Group of muscles, Spinalis Group and Iliocostalis Group.
Posterior view of the occipital region of the skull, cervical and thoracic regions of the spinal column, upper arm, scapulae and a deeper layer of the attached muscles. The labelled muscles are Obliquus Capitis Superior (highlighted in green), Suboccipital Muscles and Multifidus.
Posterior view of the occipital region of the skull, cervical and thoracic regions of the spinal column, upper arm and scapulae, with the only attached muscle Obliquus Capitis Superior.
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image descriptionAttachments of the Obliquus Capitis Superior Muscle

Origin
a. Transverse process of the atlas vertebra (C1).

Insertion
a. between the superior and inferior nuchal lines of occipital bone.

Posterior view of the occipital region of the skull, cervical and thoracic regions of the spinal column, upper arm, scapulae and the most superficial layer of the attached muscles. The labelled muscles are Trapezius, Deltoid and Latissimus Dorsi.
Posterior view of the occipital region of the skull, cervical and thoracic regions of the spinal column, upper arm and scapulae, with the only attached muscle Obliquus Capitis Superior.
Posterior view of the occipital region of the skull, cervical and thoracic regions of the spinal column, upper arm and scapulae showing the origin of Obliquus Capitis Superior at the transverse process of the atlas vertebra (C1) marked by a red line and insertion between the superior and inferior nuchal lines of occipital bone marked by a blue line.
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Actions of the Obliquus Capitis Superior Muscle:

a. Bilaterally  image descriptionextends the head.

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b. Unilaterally image descriptionlaterally flexes head to same side (ipsilateral rotation).

Nerve to the Obliquus Capitis Superior:

a. Suboccipital nerve or posterior (dorsal) primary ramus of C1.

An Overview of the Muscles of the Neck

A quiz image of the posterior view of the occipital region of the skull, cervical and thoracic regions of the spinal column, upper arm, scapulae and the most superficial muscle layer. Muscles are labelled 1-3 and the answers are concealed.
A quiz image of the posterior view of the occipital region of the skull, cervical and thoracic regions of the spinal column, upper arm, scapulae and the most superficial muscle layer. The muscles of the back and neck are labelled 1-3. The answers at the bottom are as follows 1. Trapezius 2. Deltoid 3. Latissimus Dorsi.
A quiz image of the posterior view of the occipital region of the skull, cervical and thoracic regions of the spinal column, upper arm, scapulae and the deeper muscle layer. The muscles of the back and neck are labelled 1-4. The answers at the bottom are as follows 1. Supraspinatus 2. Infraspinatus 3. Teres Minor 4. Teres Major.
A quiz image of the posterior view of the occipital region of the skull, cervical and thoracic regions of the spinal column, upper arm, scapulae and the deeper muscle layer. The muscles of the back and neck are labelled 1-4. The answers at the bottom are as follows 1. Levator Scapula 2. Rhomboids Minor 3. Rhomboids Major 4. Serratus Anterior.
A quiz image of the posterior view of the occipital region of the skull, cervical and thoracic regions of the spinal column, upper arm, scapulae and the deeper muscle layer. The only muscle labelled 1 is Serratus Posterior Superior.
A quiz image of the posterior view of the occipital region of the skull, cervical and thoracic regions of the spinal column, upper arm, scapulae and the deeper muscle layer. The muscles of the back and neck are labelled 1-7. The answers at the bottom are as follows 1. Sternocleidomastoid 2. Semispinalis Capitis 3. Splenius Capitis 4. Splenius Cervicis 5. Longissimus Group 6. Spinalis Group 7. Iliocostalis Group.
A quiz image of the posterior view of the occipital region of the skull, cervical and thoracic regions of the spinal column, upper arm, scapulae and the deeper muscle layer. The muscles of the back and neck are labelled 1-6. The answers at the bottom are as follows 1. Semispinalis Capitis 2. Longissimus Group 3. Spinalis Group 4. Longissimus Group 5. Spinalis Group 6. Iliocostalis Group.
A quiz image of the posterior view of the occipital region of the skull, cervical and thoracic regions of the spinal column, upper arm, scapulae and the deeper muscle layer. The muscles of the back and neck are labelled 1-5. The answers at the bottom are as follows 1. Semispinalis Capitis 2. Longissimus Group 3. Spinalis Group 4. Longissimus Group 5. Spinalis Group.
A quiz image of the posterior view of the occipital region of the skull, cervical and thoracic regions of the spinal column, upper arm, scapulae and the deeper muscle layer. The muscles of the back and neck are labelled 1-3. The answers at the bottom are as follows 1. Semispinalis Capitis 2. Spinalis Group 3. Spinalis Group.
A quiz image of the posterior view of the occipital region of the skull, cervical and thoracic regions of the spinal column, upper arm, scapulae and the deeper muscle layer. The muscles of the back and neck are labelled 1-2. The answers at the bottom are as follows 1. Semispinalis Capitis 2. Semispinalis Thoracis.
A quiz image of the posterior view of the occipital region of the skull, cervical and thoracic regions of the spinal column, upper arm, scapulae and the deeper muscle layer. The only muscle labelled 1. Is Obliquus Capitis Superior.
A quiz image of the posterior view of the occipital region of the skull, cervical and thoracic regions of the spinal column, upper arm and scapulae showing the origin of Obliquus Capitis Superior at the transverse process of the atlas vertebra (C1) marked by a red line and insertion between the superior and inferior nuchal lines of occipital bone marked by a blue line.
Test yourself while observing the Obliquus Capitis Superior muscle
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