Suboccipital Group

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The Suboccipital Group is composed of the:

• Rectus Capitis Posterior Minor (RCPMin)
• Rectus Capitis Posterior Major (RCPMaj)
• Obliquus Capitis Superior (OCS)
• Obliquus Capitis Inferior (OCI)

ATTACHMENTS:

• The rectus capitis posterior major attaches from the spinous process of C2 to the inferior nuchal line of the occiput.
• The rectus capitis posterior minor attaches from the posterior tubercle of C1 to the inferior nuchal line of the occiput.
• The obliquus capitis inferior attaches from the spinous process of C2 to the transverse process of C1.
• The obliquus capitis superior attaches from the transverse process of C1 to the occiput, between the inferior and superior nuchal lines.

ACTIONS:

• The rectus capitis posterior major extends the head at the atlanto-occipital joint.
• The rectus capitis posterior minor and obliquus capitis superior protract the head at the atlanto-occipital joint.
• The obliquus capitis inferior ipsilaterally rotates the atlas at the atlanto-occipital joint.

NOTES:

1. Two of the suboccipitals (rectus capitis posterior minor and obliquus capitis superior) have primarily a horizontal line of pull and are involved with the postural dysfunction pattern of forward head posture.
2. Some sources believe that the suboccipitals are more important for proprioception than for actual movement.