muscle Origin Insertion Action

Sternocleidomastoid Manubrium (胸椎 Mastoid process Bilaterally: cervical flexion

骨) and medial of the temporal Unilaterally: contralateral
portion of the bone, superial cervical rotation, ipsilateral
clavicle nuchal line lateral flexion
Scalenes Cervical vertebrae AS and Ms AS and MS: elevate 1st rib,
attach to 1st rib ipsilaterally LF the neck.
PS attach to 2nd Contralaterally rotation
rib PS: elevate 2nd rib, opposite to
AS and MS
Superficial muscle Both SCM and Scalenes are
accessory inspiration muscle

Upper Cervical Muscles – Suboccipitals

Origin Insertion Action

Rectus capitis Tubercle on the Medial part of inferior Extend the head
posterior minor posterior arch of C1 nuchal line
Rectus capitis Spinous process of C2 Inferior nuchal line of Ipsilateral rotation of
posterior major the occipital bone head and extension
Obliquus capitis Lateral mass of C1 Lateral half of the Extend head,
superior inferior nuchal line ipsilateral lateral
flexion of head
Obliquus capitis Spinous process of the Lateral mass of C1 Rotation of head and
inferior C2 neck

Deep neck flexors

Rectus capitis anterior Transverse process of Basilar part of the Flexion of neck
C1 occipital bone
Rectus capitis lateralis T.P. of C1 Jugular process of Lateral flexion of neck
occipital bone
Longus capitis T.P. of C3-C6 Basilar part of the Flexion of neck
occipital bone
Longus colli T.P. of C5-T3 Anterior arch of the Flexion of neck and
atlas head
Deep neck extensor

Splenius capitis Spinous process Mastoid process Extend, rotate and laterally flex the
of C7 -T3 of temporal and head ipsilaterally
occipital bone
Splenius cervicis Spinous process T.P. of C1-C3 Bilaterally: extend head and neck
of T3-T6 Unilaterally: ipsilaterally rotation and
lateral flexion
Semispinalis
capitis
Longissimus
capitis