Name

Obliquus Capitis Inferior

Pronunciation

(0-BLEEK-us CAP-i-tis in-FEER-i-or)

Origin/Proximal Attachment

Spinous process of axis (C2)

Insertion/Distal Attachment

Transverse process of atlas (C1)

Action/Relevance

Rotates head to contracted side

Innervation

Suboccipital nerve (dorsal rami of C1)

Notes

The obliquus capitis inferior muscle, the larger of the two oblique muscles, is one of the muscles of the neck. It arises from the apex of the spinous process of the axis, and passes lateralward and slightly upward, to be inserted into the lower and back part of the transverse process of the atlas.