Which muscle originates from the transverse process of C1 and inserts on the occipital bone?

• A. Obliquus capitis superior
• B. Obliquus capitis inferior
• C. Rectus capitis posterior major
• D. Rectus capitis posterior minor

Answer: (A)

The main idea is identifying a muscle by where it starts and where it ends. Obliquus capitis superior fits this pattern precisely: it starts from the transverse process of the first cervical vertebra (the atlas) and inserts on the occipital bone. This arrangement allows the muscle to assist in extending the head at the atlanto-occipital joint and help with slight lateral bending.

Other muscles in the suboccipital group have different origin–insertion patterns: for example, muscles that insert on the occipital bone originate from other points (such as C2 or the posterior tubercle of C1) and thus don’t originate from the transverse process of C1. This is what sets obliquus capitis superior apart for this question.