Rectus capitis anterior  At the atlanto-occipital joint, the
rectus capitis anterior muscle takes care of flexing the neck.
This takes place at a low region on the back the skull. The
muscle extends for much of the neck, originating at the atlas
bone of cervical vertebrae and inserting into the skull's
occipital bone. This is near the basilar part of the occipital
bone, and near the foramen magnum. The first cervical spinal
nerve (C1) innervates the muscle. This nerve extends from the
atlas bone, which is also known as the first cervical vertebra.
During its course, it extends upwards, servicing more than just
the rectus capitis anterior muscle. The nerve also innervates
the geniohyoid, the rectus capitis posterior major and other
muscles. Damage, strain, deterioration or tears to the muscle
could limit the neck's range of motion. However, compared to the
other rectus capitis muscles, the rectus capitis anterior is
relatively short in comparison. Injury to the muscle is not as
likely as it would be with other