Suboccipital (suboccipital) muscles are a group of muscles determined by their location in the back of the head. Suboccipital muscles are located below the occipital bone. These are four paired muscles on the lower side of the occipital bone - two straight and two oblique.
Types of suboccipital muscles
- The direct capital of the posterior large muscle goes from the spinous process of the axis to the occipital bone.
- The direct capital of the posterior minor muscle goes from the middle of the posterior arch of the atlas to the back of the head.
- The superior oblique muscle extends from the transverse process of the atlas to the back of the head.
- The lower oblique muscle extends 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 capital of the posterior major occipital muscle comes from the pointed tendon and from the spinous process of the axis and, expanding as it rises, is inserted into the side of the lower occipital line of the occipital bone and the surface of the bone directly below the line.
When the muscles on both sides extend up and to the side, they leave a 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
The direct capital of the posterior suboccipital minor muscle comes from the narrow pointed tendon and from the 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 large opening, and also takes some attachment to the hard spinal cord.
Bridges of connective tissue were noted in the atlantooccipital joint between the posterior small muscle of the rectum and the dorsal dura mater of the back. Similar tissue connections to the back of a large capus have also been reported recently. The perpendicular arrangement of these fibers apparently limits the movement of the dura mater to the spinal cord.
It was found that the ligament nuchae is continuous with the posterior dura mater of the spine and the lateral part of the occipital bone. Anatomical structures innervated by the C1-C3 cervical nerves can cause headaches. The articular complexes of the three upper cervical segments, the dura mater and the spinal cord are included.
Obliquus capitis superior muscle
The upper oblique suboccipital muscle of the back is a small muscle in the upper half of the back of the neck and is one of the suboccipital muscles and part of the suboccipital triangle. It arises from the lateral mass of the atlas and passes from above and behind to be inserted into the lateral half of the lower line of the nape 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 lower oblique suboccipital muscle of the neck starts from the top of the spinous process of the axis and runs in the lateral and slightly ascending directions. Inserted into the lower and back 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.