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Obliquus Capitis Superior

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Della Barnes, an MS Anatomy graduate, blends medical research with accessible writing, simplifying complex anatomy for a better understanding and appreciation of human anatomy.

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Last updated:

12/11/2025
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Della Barnes, MS Anatomy
UX/UI Designer at - Adobe

Della Barnes, an MS Anatomy graduate, blends medical research with accessible writing, simplifying complex anatomy for a better understanding and appreciation of human anatomy.

What is the Obliquus Capitis Superior

The obliquus capitis superior is a small paired muscle located on both sides of the upper back of the neck, at the base of the skull. It belongs to the group of suboccipital muscles along with rectus capitis posterior major, minor, and obliquus capitis inferior.

The muscle works with other muscles in the neck to help flex and extend the neck, also contributing to the stabilization of the head on the neck at the atlanto-occipital joint.

Anatomy

Location and Attachments

OriginTransverse process of the atlas bone (C1 vertebra)
InsertionPosterior surface of the occipital bone, between the inferior and superior nuchal lines

Origin

The muscle originates via a narrow tendon from the upper surface of the transverse processes of the atlas bone (C1 vertebra)

Insertion

From its origin, the muscle fibers ascend toward the skull as they broaden to form a thick belly. It courses only a short distance to insert at the back surface of the occipital bone, between the inferior and superior nuchal lines.

Relations With Surrounding Muscles and Structures

The obliquus capitis superior is the smallest and most lateral muscle in the suboccipital group. It lies above the obliquus capitis inferior and deep to the rectus capitis posterior major and rectus capitis posterior minor muscles.

The deep intrinsic muscles of the upper back, splenius capitis and longissimus capitis, lie superficial to the obliquus capitis superior. Its insertion on the occipital bone is located lateral to the semispinalis capitis and slightly above and lateral to the rectus capitis posterior major.

This muscle forms the upper lateral border of the suboccipital triangle. The triangle is a space at the back of the neck that provides a passage for important structures such as the vertebral artery and the suboccipital nerve.

Function

ActionExtending and laterally flexing the neck, and stabilizing the atlanto-occipital joint

Role in Neck Movement

  • When the obliquus capitis superior contracts on both sides (bilaterally), it extends the atlanto-occipital joint, raising the head as when you look upward.
  • When it contracts on one side (unilaterally), it produces ipsilateral flexion of the head, bending the neck to the same side as the contracting muscle.

Role in Neck Stability

As it contributes to the suboccipital triangle, the muscle plays a vital role in stabilizing the atlanto-occipital joint. This helps keep the head steady on the neck during various movements.

Antagonists

Being one of the suboccipital muscles, its action of extending the neck is opposed by the longus capitis, rectus capitis anterior, and sternocleidomastoid muscles. These muscles lie at the front of the neck and flex the cervical spine to bring the head forward.

Innervation

NerveSuboccipital nerve

Innervation to this muscle comes from the suboccipital nerve, which originates from the dorsal ramus of the first cervical spinal nerve (C1).

Blood Supply

ArteryVertebral artery and descending branch of the occipital artery

The muscle receives its blood supply from the vertebral artery, a branch of the subclavian artery, and the descending branch of the occipital artery.

References

  1. Obliquus Capitis Superior: TeachMeAnatomy.info
  2. Obliquus Capitis Superior Muscle: Kenhub.com 
  3. Obliquus Superior Capitis Muscle: Elsevier.com
  4. Obliquus Superior Capitis Muscle: IMAIOS
  5. Obliquus Capitis Superior Muscle: GetBodySmart.com
Avatar photo
Della Barnes, MS AnatomyUX/UI Designer at - Adobe

Della Barnes, an MS Anatomy graduate, blends medical research with accessible writing, simplifying complex anatomy for a better understanding and appreciation of human anatomy.

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