MUSCLES OF 7 HE TBUNK. 



251 



Action. — It pivots the atlas on the odontoid process of the axis ; it is, there- 

 fore, the special rotator of the head. 



9. Small Oblique, Obliquus Capitis Posticus or Superioris (Fig. 161, 8). 



Synonyms. — Atloido-mastoideus — Girartl. {Ohllquus capitis superior — Percivall. Lateral 

 atloido-oceipitalis of Leyh. Obliquus superior of Man.) 



A short, thick, quadrilateral, and strongly aponeurotic muscle. Its fibres are 

 fixed posteriorly — origin — to the lip bordering the transverse process of the atlas ; 



Fig. 161. 



CERVICAL LIGAMENT AND DEEP MDSCLES OF THE NECK, 



1, Lamellar portion of the cervical ligament ; 2, funicular portion ; 3, 3, semispinales muscles 

 of the back and loins; 4, 4, spinales colli; 5, rectus capitis posticus major; 6, small ditto; 

 7, great or inferior oblique muscle of the head ; 8. small ditto ; 9, 9, intertransversales colli ; 10, 

 anterior great straight muscle of the head ; 11, inferior portion of scalenus muscle; 12, superior 

 ditto. 



they are carried from thence forward, upward, and inward, to be attached — 

 termination — 1, To the styloid process of the occipital bones. 2. To the external 

 surface of that bone, on the imprints which border the mastoid crest posteriorly. 

 8. To the mastoid crest itself. This muscle is covered by the mastoid tendon of 

 the trachelo-mastoideus, by the superior aponeurosis of the splenius, and that of the 



