Rectus Capitis Posterior Major

Author: Scott A. Sheffield MS

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The rectus capitis posterior major is a broad, flat muscle situated in the back of the neck.

image descriptionRectus Capitis Posterior Major

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 Suboccipital Muscles, Rectus Capitis Posterior Major (highlighted in green) and Multifidus.
Skeleton on a posterior view with the suboccipital muscles labeled
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image descriptionAttachments of the Rectus Capitis Posterior Major Muscle

Origin
a. Spinous process of the axis vertebra (C2).

Insertion
a. Lateral portion of inferior nuchal line 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.
Skeleton on a posterior view with the suboccipital muscles labeled
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 Rectus Capitis Posterior Major at the spinous process of the axis vertebra (C2) marked by a red circle and insertion at the lateral portion of inferior nuchal line of occipital bone is marked by a blue line.
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Actions of the Rectus Capitis Posterior Major:

a. Bilaterally  image descriptionextends the head.

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

Nerve to the Rectus Capitis Posterior Major Mucle:

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 muscles of the back and neck are labelled 1-3. The answers at the bottom are as follows 1. Suboccipital Muscles 2. Rectus Capitis Posterior Major 3. Multifidus.
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 Rectus Capitis Posterior 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 and scapulae showing the origin of Rectus Capitis Posterior Major at the spinous process of the axis vertebra (C2) marked by a red circle and insertion at the lateral portion of inferior nuchal line of occipital bone is marked by a blue line.
Test yourself while observing the Rectus Capitis Posterior Major muscle
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