SUBOCCIPITALS

Suboccipital muscles

They are such 4 muscles:
Obliquus capitis inferior (so called OCI muscle)
Obliquus capitis superior
Rectus capitis posterior major
Rectus capitis posterior minor (located just above and medially of Rectus capitis posterior major)

Origin of Suboccipitals

Obliquus capitis inferior & Rectus capitis posterior major origin: spinous process of axis (C2). Obliquus capitis superior origin: transverse process of atlas (C1). Rectus capitis posterior minor origin: posterior tubercle of atlas (C1).

Insertion of Suboccipitals

Obliquus capitis inferior insertion: transverse process of atlas (C1). Obliquus capitis superior insertion: between superior and inferior nuchal line of occiput. Rectus capitis posterior major insertion: inferior nuchal line (lateral to minor).

Muscle Action/Function of Suboccipitals

Obliquus capitis inferior action: rotates the head to the contracted (ipsilateral) side. Obliquus capitis superior action: bilaterally extends the head & laterally flexes to the contracted (ipsilateral) side. Rectus capitis posterior major action: bilaterally extends the head & rotates the head to the contracted (ipsilateral) side.

Arterial (Blood) Supply of Suboccipitals

Obliquus capitis inferior, Obliquus capitis superior & Rectus capitis posterior major all receive blood supply from muscular branches of vertebral artery.

Suboccipitals Video

Suboccipital muscles

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