Muscle · Neck

Rectus capitis anterior

Musculus rectus capitis anterior

A short flat muscle hidden deep in the front of the neck, bridging the single joint between the first vertebra and the skull. It runs from the front of the atlas up onto the underside of the occipital bone, immediately in front of the joint it crosses, so its pull tips the head forwards on the very top of the neck — the small nod of a chin tuck rather than the larger bend of the whole neck. It belongs with the longus capitis and longus colli in the deep layer that sits against the front of the vertebrae, behind the throat, and its short length and close position mean it is built to hold and sense the position of the head rather than to move it powerfully.