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Atlas (muscles connected to)

Atlas

Contents

Detailed version anterior

Suboccipitalis short

Suboccipitalis detailed

Anatomy

Obliquus capitis inferior

Muscle attachment zones

Position

  • Deep

Origin

  • Processus spinosi of Axis (C2)

Insertion

  • Processus transversi of Atlas (C1)

Main function

  • Atlas:
    • Ipsilateral rotation

Nerve innervation

  • Segmental:
    • C1
  • Peripheral:
    • Suboccipital nerve

Arterial supply

  • Deep cervical artery
  • Descending branch of occipital artery
  • Muscular branches of the vertebral artery

Obliquus capitis superior

Muscle attachment zones

Position

  • Deep

Origin

  • Processus transversi of the Atlas (C1)

Insertion

  • Occiput, between the superior and inferior nucheal line

Main function

  • Atlanto-occipital joint:
    • Extension

Secondary function

  • Atlanto-occipital joint:
    • Lateral flexion

Nerve innervation

  • Segmental:
    • C1
  • Peripheral:
    • Suboccipital nerve

Arterial supply

  • Occipital artery
  • Deep cervical artery
  • Muscular branches of the vertebral artery

Rectus capitis posterior minor

Muscle attachment zones

Position

  • Deep

Origin

  • Posterior tubercle of the Atlas (C1)

Insertion

  • Occiput, medial 1/2 of the inferior nuchal line

Main function

  • Atlanto-occipital joint:
    • Extension

Nerve innervation

  • Segmental:
    • C1
  • Peripheral:
    • Suboccipital nerve

Arterial supply

  • Occipital artery
  • Muscular branches of the vertebral artery
  • Deep cervical artery

Rectus capitis anterior

Rectus capitis anterior - closeup
Rectus capitis anterior - lateral

Position

  • Deep

Origin

  • Anterior surface of base of processus transversi on the Atlas (C1)

Insertion

  • Occiput, inferior surface of the basilar part

Main function

  • Atlanto-occipital joint:
    • Flexion

Nerve innervation

  • Segmental:
    • C1-C2
  • Peripheral:
    • Ventral rami of the cervical spinal nerves

Arterial supply

  • Vertebral artery

Rectus capitis lateralis

Muscle attachment zones

Position

  • Deep

Origin

  • Superior surface of processus transversi of the Atlas (C1)

Insertion

  • Occiput, the inferior surface of the jugular process

Main function

  • Atlanto-occipital joint:
    • Lateral flexion

Nerve innervation

  • Segmental:
    • C1-C2
  • Peripheral:
    • Ventral rami of the cervical spinal nerves

Arterial supply

  • Vertebral artery
  • Occipital artery

Levator scapula

Muscle attachment zones

 

Position

  • Deep

Origin

  • Processus transversi C1-C4

Insertion

  • Angulus superior scapula
  • Superior medial aspect of the scapula
  • Root of the spina scapula

Main function

  • Scapula:
    • Elevation
  • Neck:
    • Extension
    • Lateral flexion

Secondary function

  • Neck:
    • Ipsilateral rotation
  • Scapula:
    • Downward rotation
    • Retraction

Nerve innervation

  • Segmental: C3-C5
  • Peripheral: Nervus dorsalis scapula

Arterial supply

  • Dorsal scapular artery

Splenius cervicis

Muscle attachment zones

Origin and insertion of splenius cervicis

Position

  • Deep

Origin

  • Processus spinosi Th3-Th6

Insertion

  • Processus transversi C1-C3

Main function

  • Neck:
    • Extension
    • Lateral flexion
    • Ipsilateral rotation

Nerve innervation

  • Posterior rami of the lower cervical spinal nerves

Arterial supply

  • Occipital artery

Longus colli

Position

  • Deep

Origin

  • Processus transversi C3-C5
  • Anterior bodies of C5-Th3

Insertion

  • Anterior arch of Atlas
  • Processus transversi C5-C6
  • Anterior bodies of C2-C4

Main function

  • Neck:
    • Flexion

Secondary function

  • Neck:
    • Lateral flexion
    • Contalateral rotation

Nerve innervation

  • Segmental:
    • C2-C6
  • Peripheral:
    • Cervical spinal nerves

Arterial supply

  • Inferior thyroid artery
  • Vertebral artery
  • Ascending pharyngeal artery