ANATOMY OF THE HORSE. 
65 
Attachment .—To the spine of the vertebra dentata; and to 
a scabrous depression in the occiput, below its tubercle. 
Relations. —Superiorly, with the complexus minor; inferiorly, 
with the next muscle: to the outer side, with the obliquus capitis 
superior. 
Action. —To pull the head backwards ; in doing which, it will 
assist in the protrusion of the nose. 
rectus capitis posticus minor. — Atloido-occipitalis 
Parvus . 
Situation .—Underneath the preceding muscle. 
Fig ure. —Quad rilater al. 
Attachment. —To the superior part of the atlas, and to the 
occiput. 
Relations. —Superiorly, with the preceding muscle; inferiorly, 
with the capsular ligament of the occipital joint; on the outer 
side, with the obliquus superior ; on the inner, with the ligamen- 
tum colli. 
Structure. —Entirely fleshy ; consisting of pale delicate fibres. 
Action. —To chuck up the head suddenly; and, at the same 
time, to save the capsular ligament from being pinched between 
the occiput and atlas. 
obliquus capitis superior. — Atloido-mastoideus. * 
Situation. —Upon the side of the poll. 
Figure. —Nearly square. 
Attachment. —To the superior border of the transverse process 
of the atlas ; and to a ridge extending, laterally, from the tu¬ 
bercle of the occiput to the mastoid process of the temporal bone. 
Relations. —Externally, with the tendon of the splenius ; in¬ 
ternally, with the capsular ligament of the axoido-occipital ar¬ 
ticulation; and on the inner side with the rectus major and liga- 
mentum colli. 
Structure. —Fleshy, with one or two tendinous intersections. 
Direction. —Oblique ; upwards and forwards. 
Action. —Both muscles operating, they will draw back the 
head, and at the same time elevate it: one alone acting, will turn 
the head to one side. 
obliquus capitis inferior. — Axoido-atloidchs. 
Situation. —Deep-seated ; upon the supero-anterior and la¬ 
teral parts of the neck. 
Figure .—A near approach to a parallelogram. 
Attachment. —To the side of the spine of the vertebra den¬ 
tata ; and to the supero-postcrior part of the body of the atlas. 
