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Obliquus capitis superior
Other Terms:
Superior obliquus capitis,
Musculus obliquus capitis superior,
Muscle oblique supérieur de la tête
Muscle parts
None
Latin name
Musculus obliquus capitis superior
Latin muscle parts
None
Group
Epaxial muscle – Suboccipital
Etymology
This muscle’s name in English is the upper slanting muscle of the head. The Latin term obliquus means slanting or sideways and describes its orientation.The word capitis comes from the Latin caput meaning “head.”The Latin word superior comes out of super meaning “over or above.”
Origin
Upper part of the tip of the transverse process of the atlas
Insertion
Between the superior and inferior nuchal lines of the occipital bone
Action
Probably assists with lateral flexion and extension, but is most likely a postural muscle that monitors the position of the head.
Nerve supply
Suboccipital nerve or dorsal ramus of cervical spinal nerve (C1)
Blood supply
The muscle receives its blood supply from the vertebral artery and the deep descending branch of the occipital artery.
Latin
Musculus obliquus capitis superior
French
Muscle oblique supérieur de la tête