The suboccipital (suboccipital) muscles are a group of muscles defined by their location in the back of the head. The suboccipital muscles are located below the occipital bone. These are four paired muscles on the underside of the occipital bone - two straight and two oblique.
Types of suboccipital muscles
- Direct capitis of the posterior great muscle goes from the spinous process of the axis to the occipital bone.
- Direct capitis of the posterior minor muscle runs from the middle of the posterior arch of the atlas to the occiput.
- The superior oblique runs from the transverse process of the atlas to the occiput.
- The inferior oblique muscle runs from the spinous process of the axial vertebra to the transverse process of the atlas.
They are innervated by the suboccipital nerve.
Rectus capitis posterior major muscle
The direct capititis posterior suboccipitalis great originates from the pointed tendon and from the spinous process of the axis and, expanding as it rises, inserts into the lateral part of the inferior occipital line of the occipital bone and the surface of the bone immediately below the line.
When the muscles on both sides pass up and sideways, they leavea triangular space between them, in which the posterior minor of the rectum is visible. Its main actions are extension and rotation of the atlanto-occipital joint.
Rectus capitis posterior minor muscle
Direct capitis of the posterior suboccipital minor muscle comes from a narrow pointed tendon and from a tubercle on the posterior arch of the atlas and, expanding as it rises, is inserted into the medial part of the lower occipital line of the occipital bone and onto the surface between it and the foramen magnum, as well as occupies some attachment to the dura mater of the spine.
Connective tissue bridges were noted at the atlanto-occipital joint between the posterior rectus minor and the dorsal dura dorsalis. Similar tissue connections at the back of the greater capitus have also been reported recently. The perpendicular arrangement of these fibers appears to limit movement of the dura towards the spinal cord.
The nuchae ligament was found to be continuous with the posterior dura mater of the spine and the lateral part of the occipital bone. Anatomical structures innervated by the cervical nerves C1-C3 can cause headache. The articular complexes of the upper three cervical segments, the dura mater and the spinal cord are included.
Obliquus capitis superior muscle
The superior oblique suboccipitalis is a small muscle in the upper half of the back of the neck and is one of thesuboccipital muscles and part of the suboccipital triangle. It arises from the lateral mass of the atlas and passes superiorly and posteriorly to insert into the lateral half of the inferior occipital line on the outer surface of the occipital bone. The muscle is innervated by the suboccipital nerve, the dorsal branch of the first spinal nerve.
Obliquus capitis inferior muscle
The inferior oblique suboccipital muscle of the neck starts from the top of the spinous process of the axis and runs in a lateral and slightly ascending direction. Inserted into the lower and posterior part of the transverse process of the atlas.
The muscle is responsible for the rotation of the head and the first cervical vertebra (atlanto-axial joint). It forms the lower border of the suboccipital triangle of the neck.
