Rectus capitis lateralis muscle
Rectus capitis lateralis is a small, paired muscle that is found within the neck, deep to the prevertebral part of the deep cervical fascia. It is a part of the prevertebral muscle group along with splenius capitis, levator scapulae and middle and posterior scalene muscles.
In this article, we will discuss the anatomy and function of rectus capitis lateralis muscle.
|Origin||Superior surface of the transverse process of atlas|
|Insertion||Inferior surface of the jugular process of the occipital bone|
|Action||Stabilizes the atlanto-occipital joint; head lateral flexion (ipsilateral)|
|Innervation||Anterior rami of C1-C2 spinal nerves|
|Blood supply||Branches of the occipital, vertebral and ascending pharyngeal arteries|
Origin and insertion
Rectus capitis lateralis is a short, flat muscle. It arises from the superior surface of the transverse process of the atlas (C1). The vertically oriented fibers travel superiorly to insert onto the inferior surface of the jugular process of the occipital bone.
Rectus capitis lateralis has several muscular and neurovascular relations. It is lateral to the rectus capitis anterior muscle and the cranial end of longus capitis. The levator scapulae muscle inserts on the opposite side of the C1 transverse process inferior to rectus capitis lateralis. Rectus capitis lateralis is also anterior to obliquus capitis superior, anterosuperior to obliquus capitis inferior and superior to anterior cervical intertransverse muscle.
The rectus capitis lateralis is posteriorly related to the internal jugular vein. It is separated from this structure by the carotid sheath and occasionally by the accessory nerve (CN XI). The posterior belly of the digastric muscle is also anterior to the muscle; with the occipital artery sometimes separating the two structures. The vertebral artery passes by the medial border of the rectus capitis lateralis muscle as it exits the transverse foramen of the atlas. The glossopharyngeal, vagus and accessory nerves (CN IX-XI) pass over the anterior surface if rectus capitis lateralis as they exit the jugular foramen.
Motor innervation to rectus capitis lateralis is provided by branches of the anterior rami of the first two cervical spinal nerves (C1-C2).
The primary function of rectus capitis lateralis is to stabilize the atlanto-occipital joint during movement. Unilateral contraction produces ipsilateral flexion of the neck.
The rectus capitis lateralis muscle can be used as a landmark by neurosurgeons when approaching the jugular foramen. It allows the surgeons to identify important neurovascular entities early in the dissection. This becomes particularly important if the natural anatomy has been distorted by pathological processes (e.g. tumors).