Suboccipital Nerve

Description

The suboccipital nerve is the dorsal primary ramus of the first cervical nerve, which was highlighted by red color

Nerves of the Posterior Head and Neck Region

Name

• Suboccipital Nerve
• Dorsal ramus of the first cervical nerve (C1)

General

• Originates from the posterior/dorsal rami of C1 spinal nerve
• Mainly a motor nerve

Anatomic Course

• Leaves the vertebral canal just inferior to occiput, superior to C1 vertebrae
• Bifurcates into smaller ventral and larger dorsal ramus
• Named "suboccipital" because it emerges just below the occiput
• Courses inferiorly along the vertebral artery
• Pierces the posterior atlantooccipital membrane, enters suboccipital triangle
• Terminates by giving off motor branches of the suboccipital muscles

Motor Innervation

• Rectus Capitis Posterior Minor
• Rectus Capitis Posterior Major
• Obliquus Capitis Superior
• Obliquus Capitis Inferior
• Semispinalis capitis

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Clinical Significance

• Suboccipital Neuralgia

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See Also

• Nerve Anatomy Main
• Neck Pain Main

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