Click on the structure to specify the target of your label
 |
 |
 |
||
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
01 |  |
Rectus capitis posterior minor
Other Terms:
Lesser posterior rectus capitis,
Musculus rectus capitis posterior minor,
Muscle petit droit postérieur de la tête
Muscle parts
None
Latin name
Musculus rectus capitis posterior minor
Latin muscle parts
None
Group
Epaxial muscle – Suboccipital
Etymology
The English name for this muscle is the lesser posterior straight muscle of the head. The word rectus is Latin for “straight.” The word capitis comes from the Latin caput meaning “head.” The Latin term posterior is derived from the Latin post meaning “afterwards.” The term minor comes from the Greek meion meaning “lesser.” As is typical in anatomical terminology, this comparative reference clues you into the fact that this is a smaller version of a similar shaped larger muscle.
Origin
Tubercle on the posterior arch of the atlas
Insertion
Medial portion of the inferior nuchal line of the occipital bone
Action
Probably assists with extension of the head, but is most likely a postural muscle that monitors the position of the head.
Nerve supply
Suboccipital nerve or dorsal ramus of cervical spinal nerve (C1)
Blood supply
The muscle receives its blood supply from the vertebral artery and the deep descending branch of the occipital artery.
Latin
Musculus rectus capitis posterior minor
French
Muscle petit droit postérieur de la tête
