Quick Facts
Origin: Transverse process of atlas (C1).
Insertion: Jugular process of occipital bone.
Action: Laterally flexes head.
Innervation: Anterior rami of first and second cervical nerves (C1-C2).
Arterial Supply: Vertebral, occipital, and ascending pharyngeal arteries.
Origin
The inferior fibers of the rectus capitis lateralis muscle attach to the superior aspect of the transverse process of the first cervical vertebra.
Insertion
The superior fibers of the rectus capitis lateralis muscle attach to the jugular process of the occipital bone, lateral to the foramen magnum.
Actions
The rectus capitis lateralis muscle laterally flexes the head to the same side at the atlantooccipital joints (Standring, 2016).
References
Standring, S. (2016) Gray's Anatomy: The Anatomical Basis of Clinical Practice. Gray's Anatomy Series 41st edn.: Elsevier Limited.
