Rectus Capitis Posterior Major

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

Schematic view of Suboccipital muscles (posterior view)¹

Suboccipital muscles (posterior view)¹

suboccipital muscles (left lateral view)¹

Muscle	Origin	Insertion	Innervation	Action
Rectus capitis posterior major				UNIL: I/L head rotation

Origin

C2 (SP)¹

Insertion

Occipital bone (inferior nuchal line, middle third)¹

Innervation

Suboccipital N. AKA Posterior ramus of C1¹

Action

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

Clinical significance

Control of upright posture is possible through constant interaction between the visual and vestibular system with short range rotators including obliquus capitis posterior inferior, rectus capitis posterior major, splenius capitis, and SCM².

Muscle groups

Part of the suboccipital muscle group

Palpation

Clinical significance

1.

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

2.

Dutton M. Dutton’s Orthopaedic Examination, Evaluation, and Intervention. 5th ed. McGraw Hill Education; 2020.