Obliquus Capitis Superior

Written by Max Bidewell

Last updated January 30, 2023 • 4 Revisions

The obliquus capitis superior is a suboccipital muscle of the neck. It is located laterally within the suboccipital compartment.

  • Attachments: Originates from the transverse process of C1 and attaches onto the occipital bone (between the superior and inferior nuchal lines).
  • Actions: Extension of the head.
  • Innervation: Suboccipital nerve (posterior ramus of C1)
  • Blood supply: Vertebral artery and the deep descending branch of the occipital artery.

Fig 1
The left occipital muscles, which lie underneath the deep muscles of the back.

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