The suboccipital muscles are a small group of four muscles found just below the occipital bone at the base of the skull. All of these muscles are controlled by the suboccipital nerve (the posterior branch of the first cervical nerve, C1).

These muscles lie deep in the neck, underneath the sternocleidomastoid, trapezius, splenius, and semispinalis muscles. Their main jobs are to extend (tilt back) and rotate the head.

There are:

• The rectus capitis posterior major

• The rectus capitis posterior minor

• The obliquus capitis inferior

• The obliquus capitis superior.

Rectus Capitis Posterior Major

The rectus capitis posterior major extends and rotates the head.

• Origin: Spinous process of the C2 (axis) vertebra.

• Insertion: Lateral part of the inferior nuchal line on the occipital bone.

Rectus Capitis Posterior Minor

The rectus capitis posterior minor is the most medial suboccipital muscle. It connects to the dura mater, which might relate to certain tension or cervicogenic headaches. It also extends the head.

• Origin: Posterior tubercle of C1.

• Insertion: Medial part of the inferior nuchal line on the occipital bone.

Obliquus Capitis Inferior

The obliquus capitis inferior rotates and extends the head. It’s the only individual muscle that doesn’t attach to the skull.

• Origin: Spinous process of C2.

• Insertion: Transverse process of C1.

Obliquus Capitis Superior

The obliquus capitis superior extends and slightly tilts (laterally flexes) the head.

• Origin: Transverse process of C1.

• Insertion: Occipital bone.

All four are supplied by the suboccipital nerve (C1).

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