Rectus capitis posterior major

Rectus capitis posterior major muscle
Deep muscles of the back. (Rect. post. major visible at upper left.)
Details
Origin	Spinous process of the axis (C2)
Insertion	Inferior nuchal line of the occipital bone
Artery	Occipital Artery
Nerve	Dorsal ramus of C1 (suboccipital nerve), sub-occipital nerve
Actions	Ipsilateral rotation of head and extension
Identifiers
Latin	Musculus rectus capitis posterior major
TA	A04.2.02.004
FMA	32525
Anatomical terms of muscle []

The rectus capitis posterior major (or rectus capitis posticus major, both being Latin for larger posterior straight muscle of the head) arises by a pointed tendon from the spinous process of the axis, and, becoming broader as it ascends, is inserted into the lateral part of the inferior nuchal line of the occipital bone and the surface of the bone immediately below the line.

A soft tissue connection bridging from the rectus capitis posterior major to the cervical dura mater was described in 2011. Various clinical manifestations may be linked to this anatomical relationship. It has also been postulated that this connection serves as a monitor of dural tension along with the rectus capitis posterior minor and the obliquus capitis inferior.

As the muscles of the two sides pass upward and lateralward, they leave between them a triangular space, in which the rectus capitis posterior minor is seen.

Its main actions are to extend and rotate the atlanto-occipital joint.

Position of rectus capitis posterior major muscle (shown in red).

Rectus capitis posterior major muscle.

Occipital bone. Outer surface.

Rectus capitis posterior major's relationship to other suboccipital muscles.

This article incorporates text in the public domain from the 20th edition of Gray's Anatomy (1918)