514 



HUMAN ANATOMY. 



Nerve-Supply. — By a branch from the posterior division of the suboccipital 

 nerve. 



Action. — To draw the head backward and to rotate it towards the same side. 



8. Rectus Capitis Posticus Minor (Fig. 522). 



Attachments. — The lesser straight muscle (m. rectus capitis posterior minor) 

 arises from the posterior tubercle of the atlas and passes upward, broadening as it 

 goes, to be inserted into the inner portion of the inferior nuchal line. 



Nerve-Supply. — By a branch from the posterior division of the suboccipital 



nerve. 



Action. — To draw the head backward. 



jFig. 522. 



ft.^: 



Rectus capitis posticus 



minor 

 Rectus capitis posticus 

 major 



Obliquus superior 

 Suboccipital triangle 



Obliquus inferior 



Supraspinous ligament 



Posterior tubercle of atlas 

 Transverse process of atlas 



Itifidus 



^■\^> 



Deep dissection of neck, showing suboccipital group of muscles. 



9. Obliquus Capitis Superior (Fig. 522). 



Attachments. — The superior oblique muscle of the head arises\xovs\ the trans- 

 verse process of the atlas and passes upward to be inserted into the squamous portion 

 of the occipital immediately above the outer part of the inferior nuchal line. 



Nerve-Supply. — By a branch from the posterior division of the suboccipital 

 nerve. 



Action. — To draw the head backward and slightly laterally. 



10. Obliquus Capitis Inferior (Fig. 522). 



Attachments. — The inferior oblique muscle of the head arises from the tip of 

 the spinous process of the axis and is directed outward and upward to be inserted into 

 the transverse process of the atlas. 



Nerve-Supply. — By a branch from the posterior division of the suboccipital 

 nerve. 



Action. — To rotate the axis towards the same side. 



