THE ANTERIOR VERTEBRAL MUSCLES 



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tendon into the tubercle on the anterior arch of the atlas. The inferior oblique 

 portion, the smallest part of the muscle, arises from the front of the bodies of the 

 first two or three thoracic vertebrae; and, ascending obliquely in a lateral direction, 

 is inserted into the anterior tubercles of the transverse processes of the fifth and 

 sixth cervical vertebrae. The vertical portion arises, below, from the front of the 

 bodies of the upper three thoracic and lower three cervical vertebrae, and is in- 

 serted into the front of the bodies of the second, third, and fourth cervical vertebrae. 

 The Longus capitis (Rectus capitis anticus major], broad and thick above, 

 narrow below, arises by four tendinous slips, from the anterior tubercles of the 

 transverse processes of the third, fourth, fifth, and sixth cervical vertebrae, and 

 ascends, converging toward its fellow of the opposite side, to be inserted into the 

 inferior surface of the basilar part of the occipital bone. 



FIG. 387. The anterior vertebral muscles. 



The Rectus capitis anterior (Rectus capitis anticus minor) is a short, flat muscle, 

 situated immediately behind the upper part of the Longus capitis. It arises from 

 the anterior surface of the lateral mass of the atlas, and from the root of its 

 transverse process, and passing obliquely upward and medialward, is inserted into 

 the inferior surface of the basilar part of the occipital bone immediately in front 

 of the foramen magnum. 



The Rectus capitis lateralis, a short, flat muscle, arises from the upper surface 

 of the transverse process of the atlas, and is inserted into the under surface of the 

 jugular process of the occipital bone. 



Nerves. The Rectus capitis anterior and the Rectus capitis lateralis are supplied from the 

 loop between the first and second cervical nerves; the Longus capitis, by branches from the 



