Obliquus capitis inferior muscle

Authors

Affiliations

Nathaniel Yomogida, B.S., SPT

Doctor of Physical Therapy

B.S. in Kinesiology

Chloë Kerstein, B.S., SPT

Doctor of Physical Therapy

B.A. in Neuroscience

Figure 1: Schematic view of Suboccipital muscles (posterior view)¹

Figure 2: Suboccipital muscles (posterior view)¹

Figure 3: suboccipital muscles (left lateral view)¹

Muscle	Origin	Insertion	Innervation	Action
Obliquus capitis inferior

Origin

C2 (SP)¹

Insertion

C1 TP¹

Innervation

Suboccipital N. AKA Posterior ramus of C1¹

Action

• Bilateral: Extend head
• Unilateral: I/L rotation

Palpation

Clinical significance

1.

Gilroy AM, MacPherson BR, Wikenheiser JC, Voll MM, Wesker K, Schünke M, eds. Atlas of Anatomy. 4th ed. Thieme; 2020.