Functional Rehab Academy
Rectus capitis posterior major / minor
Muscle origin
Spinous process of axis (major) and posterior tubercle of atlas (minor)
Muscle insertion
Lateral part of inferior nuchal line of occipital bone (major) and medial part of inferior nuchal line of occipital bone (minor)
Muscle function
Head extension (bilateral contraction) and head rotation (ipislateral)
Nerve innervation
C1 (Lovett reactor L5)
Primary muscle type
Tonic / Type I (65-70%)
Primary inhibatory muscles:
- Neckflexors
- Opposite Obliqus capitis inferior
- Opposite Rectus capitis posterior major
- Opposite Levator scapula
- Sternocleidomastoid
- Rhomboid
- Opposite Psoas
Related joints
- C1-2
Major part
Client is supine with the head/neck placed in full flexion, 45 deg. rotation towards test side and chin pocking up. Grab around the head and try to rotate it back towards midline.
Minor part
Client is supine with the head/neck placed in full flexion, slight rotation towards test side, and chin pocking up. Grab around the head and try to “break the head on the neck” getting the chin tucked in.
Functional anatomy for
Rectus capitis posterior major / minor
Organ relationship (T5-9, n. Vagus)
- Stomach (AK)
- Symp – T5-9 (Celiac plexus)
- Parasymp – CX (Vagus)
Associated muscles
- Subocc
- Stability of C1-2 – lev scap mm
- Head extension
- Head rotation same and opposite side