What is the innervation of the longus capitis muscle?

The longus capitis muscle, which is part of the pre-vertebral muscle group, receives its innervation primarily from the anterior rami of the cervical spinal nerves. Specifically, it is innervated by the C1 to C3 segments. This range of innervation facilitates the muscle's role in flexing the head and neck as well as enabling rotation and lateral bending of the cervical spine.

This is crucial as the longus capitis assists in stabilizing the head and neck during movement and plays an important role in various activities like speaking and swallowing. The C1-C3 innervation reflects the muscle's anatomical position and functional requirements, as these spinal nerves branch out and provide motor control to the muscles originating from the cervical spine region.