Rectus Capitis Anterior

rek'tus kap'i tis an te're or Latin "rectus" straight

"capitis" head "anterior" toward the front

Attachment s
O: Atlas (C2), anterior surface of transverse process I:
Occipital bone, inferior surface of basilar part
Action s
Flexes the head and neck (bilateral action)
Rotates the head and neck toward same side (unilateral
action)
Innervation
C1 and C2

Functional Anatomy

Palpating Rectus Capitis Anterior

Rectus capitis anterior is a deep suboccipital muscle that is
too deep to palpate.

Rectus Capitis Lateralis

Attachment s
O: Atlas (C2), superior surface of transverse process I:
Occipital bone, inferior surface of jugular process
Action s
Laterally flexes the head and neck (unilateral action)
Innervation
C1 and C2

Functional Anatomy
Rectus capitis lateralis runs vertically between the inferior
surface of the occiput and the transverse process of the atlas.
It has size, orientation, and function similar to the obliquus
capitis superior, found in the suboccipital group. Together,

Rectus capitis anterior is very small and deep in the anterior

neck. It runs obliquely between the inferior surface of the
occiput and the transverse process of the atlas. Its form and
function are similar to rectus capitis posterior minor, but
rectus capitis anterior flexes rather than extends. Fine bend
ing of the head, such as when you look down, is initiated by
rectus capitis anterior.
Rectus capitis anterior also works with the suboccipital
muscles to stabilize the atlanto-occipital joint. The antago
nist actions of the rectus capitis anterior and the rectus capi
tis posterior major and minor maintain alignment between
the vertebral foramen of the atlas and the foramen magnum
of the occiput. Proper alignment in this region supports the
flow of blood and cerebrospinal fluid (fluid that cushions
and nourishes the brain and spinal cord) to and from the
skull. Imbalances in flexibility and strength of the rectus
capitis anterior and the suboccipital muscles can lead to
headaches, cognitive difficulties, and pain.
rek' tus kap'i tis la ter a'lis Latin "rectus" straight
"capitis" head "lateralis" toward the side

these small, deep muscles perform fine lateral flexion of the

head. Rectus capitis lateralis is activated when you cock
your ear to listen. It also functions to fix your head when
you're talking or eating, keeping your eyes level with the
horizon.

Palpating Rectus Capitis Lateralis

Positioning: client supine.
1. Sitting at the client's head, locate the mastoid processes
just behind the ears with fingertips.
2. Slide fingertips caudally and laterally onto the
transverse processes of the atlas.
3. Curl fingertips and palpate superior and deep to find the
vertical fibers of rectus capitis lateralis. (Caution: the
styloid process of the temporal hone is a delicate struc
ture located in this region, so don't palpate too deeply).
4. Client gently resists lateral flexion to ensure proper
location.

Temporalis

tem por ra'lis Latin "temporal" temple

Attachments
O: Temporal, parietal, sphenoid, and frontal bones,
temporal fossa and fascia
I: Mandible, coronoid process and anterior border of ramus

Actions
Elevates the mandible
Retracts the mandible

Innervation
Trigeminal nerve

Functional Anatomy
The temporalis is a broad, fan-shaped muscle that covers the
temple. Its fibers connect the parietal, temporal, and frontal
bones then converge and run deep to the zygomatic arch.
The temporalis connects to the mandible at the pointed coro
noid process, which is slightly anterior. This attachment
gives the temporalis leverage to retract the mandible as well
as elevate it.
The temporalis works with the pterygoids and masseter
during chewing. Together, they create the movements nec essary
for manipulating food.

Palpating Temporalis
Positioning: client supine.
1. Sitting at the client's head, locate the superior edge of
the zygomatic arch with your fingertips.
2. Slide your fingertips superiorly toward the temple and

onto the fibers of temporalis.

3. Follow the fibers of temporalis as they fan out across
the frontal, parietal, and temporal bones.
4. Client gently opens and closes the mouth and/or
clenches the jaw to ensure proper location.
mas'e ter Greek "masseter" masticator

Masseter

Attachment s
O: Temporal and zygoma bones, zygomatic arch
I:

Mandible, angle, ramus, and lateral surface of coronoid

process

Action s
Elevates the mandible
Innervation
Trigeminal nerve

Functional Anatomy
Masseter is a thick, strong muscle that extends between the
zygomatic arch and the mandible. It has two parts, one deep
and the other superficial. Their fibers oppose each other: the
superficial portion pulls the mandible anteriorly, protracting it,
whereas the deep portion pulls the mandible posteriorly,
retracting it.
Pound for pound, masseter is the strongest muscle in the
body and generates most of the force for biting and chewing.
The medial and lateral pterygoid and temporalis muscles also
contribute to this complex task.

Palpating Masseter
Positioning: client supine.
1. Sitting at the client's head, locate the inferior edge of the
zygomatic arch with your fingertips.
2. Slide fingertips inferiorly toward the angle of the
mandible and onto the fibers of masseter. (Caution:
both the trigeminal nerve and the parotid gland are
located in this region. To avoid them, carefully feel for the
fibers of the masseter muscle when palpating.)
3. Follow the fibers of masseter to its insertion on the
inferior edge of the mandible.
4. Client gently opens and closes the mouth and/or
clenches the jaw to ensure proper location.

lat'er al ter'i goyd Greek "lateralis" side "pteryx" wing "eidos"

resemblance

Lateral Pterygoid

Attachment s
O: Sphenoid, lateral surface of greater wing and infratem poral crest
I:

Mandible, anterior portion of condyle and articular disk

Action s
Depresses the mandible (bilateral action)
Protracts the mandible (bilateral action)
Moves the mandible laterally (unilateral action)
Innervation
Trigeminal nerve

Functional Anatomy
The lateral pterygoid is one of many muscles that move the
mandible. It is deep to the masseter and temporalis and lat
eral to its counterpart, the medial pterygoid. The lateral
pterygoid connects the sphenoid to the neck of the mandible. It
also has a direct connection to the capsule and articular disk
of the temporomandibular joint, a modified hinge joint that
relies on the articular disk to maintain joint alignment during
gliding movements. The lateral pterygoid helps posi tion the
articular disk during complex movements of the
temporomandibular joint, such as chewing and speaking.
The lateral pterygoid works with the medial pterygoid,
masseter, and temporalis during chewing. Together, they create the
retraction, protraction, and lateral movements necessary for
grinding food between the teeth and moving it around the mouth.

Palpating Lateral Pterygoid

Positioning: client supine.
1. Sitting at the client's head, locate the inferior surface of the
zygomatic arch with your fingertips. (Caution: the
mandibular branch of the trigeminal nerve is located in
this region. To avoid causing discomfort or damaging
this structure, instruct the client to keep the jaw relaxed
during palpation.)
2. Slide your fingertips slightly inferiorly between the
condyle and coronoid process of the mandible onto
horizontal fibers of lateral pterygoid.
3. Client gently moves jaw side to side to ensure proper
location.

Medial Pterygoid

me'de al ter'i goyd

"eidos"
resemblance

Greek "medialis" middle "pteryx" wing

Attachment s
O: Sphenoid, pterygoid process, palatine bone, and maxilla bone,
tuberosity
I: Mandible, interior surface of angle and ramus
Action s
Elevates the mandible (bilateral action)
Protracts the mandible (bilateral action)
Moves the mandible laterally (unilateral action)
Innervation
Trigeminal nerve

Functional Anatomy
The medial pterygoid is one of many muscles that move the
mandible. It is deep to the masseter and temporalis and me
dial to its counterpart, the lateral pterygoid. The medial
pterygoid connects the sphenoid, maxilla, and palatine bones
to the inner surface of the mandible. When contracted, it as
sists the large, external masseter in elevating the mandible.
The medial pterygoid works with the lateral pterygoid,
masseter, and temporalis during chewing. Together, they create
the retraction, protraction, and lateral movements necessary for
grinding food betweenthe teeth and moving it around the mouth.

Palpating Medial Pterygoid

Positioning: client supine.
1. Sitting at the client's head, locate the inner surface of
the angle of the mandible with your fingertips.
2. Hook your fingertips deeply onto the inner surface of
the mandible.
3. Follow the oblique fibers of the medial pterygoid
medially toward the sphenoid.
4. Have the client clench the teeth, elevating the mandible
to ensure proper location.