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Rectus Capitis Posterior Minor Muscle

image descriptionRectus Capitis Posterior Minor 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 Rectus Capitis Posterior Minor (highlighted in green) Suboccipital Muscles and Multifidus.
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image descriptionAttachments of the Rectus Capitis Posterior Minor Muscle

Origin
a. Posterior tubercle (arch) of C1.

Insertion
a. Medial 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.
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 posterior tubercle (arch) of C1 marked by a red circle and insertion at the medial portion of inferior nuchal line of occipital bone is marked by a blue line.
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Actions of the Rectus Capitis Posterior Minor Muscle:

a. A connective tissue bridge to the spinal dura helps control infolding movements of the dura.

b. Numerous spindle fibers help with proprioception and balance.

c.  image descriptionExtends the head at the neck.

Slide 1 of the animation showing the extension of the head.
Slide 2 of the animation showing the extension of the head.
Slide 3 of the animation showing the extension of the head.
Slide 4 of the animation showing the extension of the head.
Slide 1 of the animation showing the extension of the head.

Nerve to the Rectus Capitis Posterior Minor Muscle

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 Rectus Capitis Posterior Minor.
Test yourself while observing the Rectus Capitis Posterior Minor muscle.
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