Splenius Capitis

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== Description<br> ==
<div>&nbsp;The Rectus capitis anterior (Rectus capitis anticus minor, Musculus rectus capitis anterior in Latin and Muscle droit antérieur de la tête in &nbsp;French) <ref>http://www.anatomyexpert.com/structure_detail/5273/</ref>&nbsp;is a short, flat muscle, situated immediately behind the upper part of the Longus capitis.</div><div><br></div>
== Etymology ==
<div>&nbsp;The English name for this muscle is the anterior straight muscle of the head. The word rectus is Latin for “straight." The word capitis comes from the Latin caput meaning “head.” The Latin term anterior is derived from the Latin ante meaning “before.”&nbsp;<ref>http://www.anatomyexpert.com/structure_detail/5273/</ref></div><div><br></div><div></div><div></div>
== Origin<br> ==

Anterior surface of the lateral mass of the atlas (C1 vertebra)&nbsp;and the root of its transverse process&nbsp;<ref>http://www.wheelessonline.com/ortho/rectus_capitis_anterior</ref>

Insertion ==
<div>&nbsp;&nbsp;The inferior surface of the occipital bone anterior to the foreamen magnum&nbsp;<ref>http://www.wheelessonline.com/ortho/rectus_capitis_anterior</ref></div>
== Nerve Supply

C1, C2

Blood Supply ==
<div>&nbsp;The muscle receives blood from the ascending cervical artery, which is a small branch of the inferior thyroid artery from the thyrocervical trunk of &nbsp;the subclavian artery.&nbsp;<ref>http://www.anatomyexpert.com/structure_detail/5273/</ref></div>
== Action

Aids in flexion of the head and the neck

Clinical Relevance ==
<div>&nbsp;Rupture of this muscle (along with the longus capitis muscle) can be cause of hemorrhage from the guttural pouch, caused by trauma to the &nbsp;poll or the base of the skull. This injury can be seen on x-ray by a fracture of the basisphenoid bone, often presenting with clincial neurological &nbsp;signs&nbsp;<ref>http://www.vetmed.vt.edu/education/curriculum/vm8644/equineneck/Definitions/rectuscapitis.html</ref><br></div><div></div>
== References

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