Functional Rehab Academy
Longus capitis
Muscle origin
Anterior tubercles of transverse processes of C3-C6
Muscle insertion
Basilar part of occipital bone
Muscle function
Head flexion (bilateral contraction) and head rotation to same side (ipsilateral contraction). Stability of cervical spine.
Nerve innervation
C1-C3 (Lovett reactor L3-5)
Primary muscle type
Tonic / Type I (70-80%)
Myofascial line: Deep front line
Primary inhibatory muscles
- Neck extensors
- Diaphragm
- Psoas bilateral
Related joints
- C1-C6
Client is supine with the head/neck in full 45 deg. flexion, 15 deg. rotation towards test side and chin tucked in. Try to “break the head on the neck” in extension by trying the get the chin back out.
Functional anatomy for
Longus capitis
Organ relationship (T5-L2, SAcrum, n. Vagus)
- Stomach (AK)
- Symp – T5-9 (Celiac plexus)
- Parasymp – CX (Vagus)
- Reproductive organs (AK)
- Symp – T10-L2 (Inferior Hypogastric, Ovarian and Testicular plexus)
- Parasymp – S2-4 (Sacral plexus)
Associated muscles
- Neck stabilizers
- Suboccipitals?
- Rotation and flexion
- Deep line