Rectus capitis posterior minor muscle
3042552
224648697
2008-07-09T20:23:45Z
Jonathan Cardy
4071608
disambig Atlas
{{Muscle infobox |
Name = Rectus capitis posterior minor muscle |
Latin = musculus rectus capitis posterior minor |
GraySubject = 116 |
GrayPage = 401 |
Image = Rectus capitis posterior minor muscle.png |
Caption = Deep muscles of the [[back]]. (Rect. post. minor labeled at top center.) |
Origin = the tubercle on the posterior arch of the [[Atlas (anatomy)|atlas]] |
Insertion = the medial part of the [[inferior nuchal line]] of the [[occipital bone]] and the surface between it and the [[foramen magnum]] |
Action = [[extends]] the head at the neck, but is now considered to be more of a sensory organ than a muscle |
Blood = |
Nerve = a branch of the dorsal primary division of the [[suboccipital nerve]] |
MeshName = |
MeshNumber = |
DorlandsPre = m_22 |
DorlandsSuf = 12550468 |
}}
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 (anatomy)|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]], and also takes some attachment to the spinal dura.
The synergists are the [[rectus capitus posterior major]] and [[Obliquus capitis]].
Connective tissue bridges were noted at the atlanto-occipital junction between the rectus capitis posterior minor muscle and the dorsal spinal dura. The perpendicular arrangement of these fibers appears to restrict dural movement toward the spinal cord. The ligamentum nuchae was found to be continuous with the posterior cervical spinal dura and the lateral portion of the occipital bone. Anatomic structures innervated by cervical nerves C1-C3 have the potential to cause headache pain. Included are the joint complexes of the upper 3 cervical segments, the dura mater, and spinal cord.
The dura-muscular, dura-ligamentous connections in the upper cervical spine and occipital areas may provide anatomic and physiologic answers to the cause of the cervicogenic headache. This proposal would further explain manipulation's efficacy in the treatment of cervicogenic headache.
==See also==
* [[atlanto-occipital joint]]
* [[Rectus capitis lateralis]]
* [[Rectus capitis posterior major muscle]]
* [[Rectus capitis anterior muscle]]
==Additional images==
<gallery>
Image:Gray129.png|Occipital bone. Outer surface.
</gallery>
==External links==
* {{MuscleLoyola|rpmn}}
* {{GPnotebook|-1174011824}}
* {{SUNYAnatomyFigs|01|07|01}}
* {{SUNYAnatomyLabs|01|10|01|01}}
* [http://www.ptcentral.com/muscles/musclehead.html#rectus%20capitis%20posterior%20minor PTCentral]
{{Gray's}}
{{Muscles_of_trunk}}
{{muscle-stub}}
[[Category:Muscles of the trunk]]
[[de:Musculus rectus capitis posterior minor]]
[[sr:Мали прави задњи мишић главе]]