Rectus capitis anterior and lateralis !
The rectus capitis anterior and lateralis are two small muscles between the atlas and the skull; they nod and tilt the head.
Official name: Rectus anterior capitis muscle
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What it is
Two small muscles between the atlas and the skull base.
What it does
Nod the head forward and tilt it to the side.
Key facts
- Origin
- Anterior: lateral mass of atlas; lateralis: transverse process of atlas
- Insertion
- Anterior: basilar occipital just in front of the condyle; lateralis: jugular process of occipital bone
- Action
- Anterior: flexes the head; lateralis: lateral flexion of the head; both stabilise the atlanto-occipital joint
- Nerve
- Ventral rami of C1–C2
- Blood supply
- Vertebral and ascending pharyngeal arteries
Relations
- In front
- Rectus capitis anterior: longus capitis and the prevertebral fascia; rectus capitis lateralis: the internal jugular vein leaving the jugular foramen
- Medial
- Longus capitis, inserting on the basilar occipital just in front of and medial to rectus capitis anterior
- Contents
- Between the two muscles: the ventral ramus of C1 on its way to the cervical plexus
How to find it
They cannot be felt. They are seen on high-resolution MRI of the craniovertebral junction and in skull base approaches: rectus capitis lateralis between the transverse process of the atlas and the jugular process, rectus capitis anterior in front of the atlanto-occipital joint.
On imaging
Rarely assessed on their own; they are seen on high-resolution MRI or CT of the craniovertebral junction. Rectus capitis lateralis runs from the atlas transverse process up to the jugular process, just behind the jugular foramen and internal jugular vein; rectus capitis anterior lies in front of the atlanto-occipital joint. Both are landmarks for jugular foramen and C1 lesions.
Common problems
- Strained in whiplash.
- In an ACDF it is gently lifted off the front of the spine on each side to place the retractor; the sympathetic trunk lies on it.
How it is diagnosed
Exam; MRI if needed.
Treatment
- Deep neck flexor exercises are a mainstay of neck pain rehabilitation.
Clinical notes
- In far-lateral and lateral skull base approaches, rectus capitis lateralis guides the surgeon to the jugular foramen and the internal jugular vein just in front of it
- The vertebral artery, leaving the transverse foramen of the atlas, runs just behind and medial to rectus capitis lateralis, so it is at risk when the muscle is cut in far-lateral approaches
Test yourself
Think of the answer, then tap the question to see it.
Which nerve emerges between the rectus capitis anterior and rectus capitis lateralis?
The ventral ramus of C1, on its way to the cervical plexus.
Why is the rectus capitis lateralis a landmark in lateral skull base surgery?
It sits just behind the jugular foramen, with the internal jugular vein directly in front of it.
What are the actions of the rectus capitis anterior and lateralis?
The anterior flexes the head, the lateralis flexes it laterally; both stabilise the atlanto-occipital joint.
Educational information, not medical advice. For any symptom, see a health professional.
Its names
- Official Latin (TA2)
- musculus rectus anterior capitis; musculus rectus lateralis capitis TA2 2150
- Official Spanish (DeCS)
- Músculos recto anterior y recto lateral de la cabeza DeCS D009334
- English (TA2)
- Rectus anterior capitis muscle
- Also called
- rectus capitis anterior muscle · rectus capitis lateralis muscle · musculus rectus capitis ventralis
Related
Sources: Terminologia Anatomica (TA2); DeCS; Anatomy, Head and Neck, Prevertebral Muscles.
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Representative model, for educational purposes only.
