Rectus capitis posterior minor muscle
Encyclopedia
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
Atlas (anatomy)
In anatomy, the atlas is the most superior cervical vertebra of the spine.It is named for the Atlas of Greek mythology, because it supports the globe of the head....

, and, widening as it ascends, is inserted into the medial part of the inferior nuchal line of the occipital bone
Occipital bone
The occipital bone, a saucer-shaped membrane bone situated at the back and lower part of the cranium, is trapezoidal in shape and curved on itself...

 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
Obliquus capitis
Obliquus capitis can refer to:* Obliquus capitis inferior muscle* Obliquus capitis superior muscle...

.

Connective tissue bridges were noted at the atlanto-occipital junction between the rectus capitis posterior minor muscle and the dorsal spinal dura. Similar connective tissue connections of the rectus capitis posterior major have been discovered recently as well. 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
    Atlanto-occipital joint
    The Atlanto-occipital joint consists of a pair of condyloid joints. The atlanto-occipital joint is a synovial joint.-Ligaments:The ligaments connecting the bones are:* Two Articular capsules...

  • Rectus capitis lateralis
  • Rectus capitis posterior major muscle
    Rectus capitis posterior major muscle
    The Rectus capitis posterior major arises by a pointed tendon from the spinous process of the axis, and, becoming broader as it ascends, is inserted into the lateral part of the inferior nuchal line of the occipital bone and the surface of the bone immediately below the line.In 2011, Scali et al.,...

  • Rectus capitis anterior muscle
    Rectus capitis anterior muscle
    The rectus capitis anterior is a short, flat muscle, situated immediately behind the upper part of the Longus capitis....


External links

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