(rek'tŭs kap'i-tis an-tēr'ē-ŏr mŭs'ĕl) Origin, transverse process and lateral mass of atlas; insertion, basilar process of occipital bone; action, turns and inclines head forward; nerve supply, ventral primary ramus of first and second cervical spinal nerve. Synonym(s): musculus rectus capitis anterior [TA] .