📖 Static demo — read-only snapshot
You’re browsing a static build of the Body IQ knowledge graph, so everything loads with no backend. A few things that need the live server are turned off here:
- Global search (sidebar) is disabled — it queries the API.
- The JSON API and the API “Try it” playgroundaren’t included.
- The data is a snapshot — it refreshes only when the demo is rebuilt, not live from the database.
Everything else — the body map, progression ladders, coverage heatmap, exercise finder, and all anatomy/exercise/source pages — works fully. The full app (live search + API + database) runs from the source on GitHub.
Suboccipital Muscles
Four small muscles at the base of the skull. Rectus capitis posterior major and minor, obliquus capitis superior and inferior. Fine control of head movement. Have anatomical connections to cervical dura mater (myodural bridges).
Draft95%
Anatomy
- Origin
- Rectus capitis posterior major: spinous process of C2; Rectus capitis posterior minor: posterior tubercle of C1; Obliquus capitis superior: transverse process of C1; Obliquus capitis inferior: spinous process of C2
- Insertion
- Rectus major: lateral inferior nuchal line; Rectus minor: medial inferior nuchal line; Obliquus superior: between superior and inferior nuchal lines; Obliquus inferior: transverse process of C1
- Action
- Extension of head (all except obliquus inferior); ipsilateral rotation (rectus major, obliquus inferior — obliquus inferior accounts for ~70% of C1-C2 rotation); lateral flexion (obliquus superior); proprioceptive feedback for head position
- Innervation
- Suboccipital nerve (dorsal ramus of C1) for all four muscles
- Blood Supply
- Muscular branches of vertebral and occipital arteries
Movements (2)
| Movement | Joint | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Upper Cervical Extension | Atlantooccipital Joint | Primary | Rectus capitis posterior major/minor, obliquus capitis superior |
| Upper Cervical Rotation | Atlantoaxial Joint | Primary | Obliquus capitis inferior accounts for ~70% of C1-C2 rotation; rectus capitis posterior major assists |
Exercises (7)
| Exercise | Role |
|---|---|
| Upper Cervical Extension Control | Primary |
| Upper Cervical Rotation Drill | Primary |
| Cervical Protraction Awareness | Secondary |
| Prone Cervical Extension | Secondary |
| Deep Neck Extensor Endurance | Stabilizer |
| Chin Tuck with Overpressure | lengthening |
| Seated Cervical Flexion AROM | lengthening |
Sources
- Kinesiology of the Musculoskeletal System: Foundations for Rehabilitation — Anatomy of Suboccipital Muscles — origin, insertion, action, innervation
- Muscles: Testing and Function with Posture and Pain — Manual muscle testing for Suboccipital Muscles