Rectus posterior minor capitis muscle
Musculus rectus posterior minor capitis
- Latin synonym: Musculus rectus capitis posterior minor
- Synonym: Rectus capitis posterior minor muscle
- Related terms: Rectus capitis posterior minor
Definition
Origin: The tubercle on the posterior arch of theatlas
Insertion: The medial part of the inferior nuchal line of theoccipital bone and the surface between it and theforamen magnum
Nerve: A branch of the dorsal primary division of the suboccipital nerve
Action: Extends the head at the neck, but is now considered to be more of a sensory organ than a muscle
Description:
The Rectus capitis posterior minor (Rectus capitis posticus minor) arises by a narrow pointed tendon from the tubercle on the posterior arch of the atlas, and, widening as it ascends, is inserted into the medial part of the inferior nuchal line of the occipital bone and the surface between it and the foramen magnum.
References
This definition incorporates text from a public domain edition of Gray's Anatomy (20th U.S. edition of Gray's Anatomy of the Human Body, published in 1918 – from http://www.bartleby.com/107/).
