Obliquus capitis superior connects C1 to the occiput, forming the superolateral boundary of the suboccipital triangle. It is one of the four suboccipital muscles with direct proprioceptive connections to the cervical spinal cord.
| Origin | Transverse process of the atlas (C1) |
|---|---|
| Insertion | Occipital bone — between the superior and inferior nuchal lines, lateral to the semispinalis capitis |
| Nerve Supply | Suboccipital nerve — dorsal ramus of C1 |
| Blood Supply | Vertebral artery muscular branches |
| Actions | Lateral flexion of the head at the atlantooccipital joint; Extends the head |
|---|
The suboccipital muscle group (including obliquus capitis superior) has the highest muscle spindle density of any muscle, providing fine proprioceptive control of head position. Their dysfunction in whiplash contributes to cervicogenic dizziness and postural instability.
Not palpable individually — part of the suboccipital muscle mass below the occiput.
Suboccipital triangle muscle proprioceptive impairment in whiplash injury contributing to cervicogenic dizziness and gaze instability.
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