Third Occipital Nerve

Description

The third occipital nerve is seen just left of midline

Nerves of the Posterior Head and Neck Region

Name

• Third Occipital Nerve
• Least Occipital Nerve
• Superficial medial branch of the C3 spinal nerve's dorsal ramus

General

• Branch of the posterior nerve root of C3
• Provides sensory innervation to scalp and C2 and C3 facet joints

Anatomic Course

• Traces a path between semispinalis capitis and cervicis muscles
• Then passes between splenius capitis and trapezius
• Runs medially to the greater occipital nerve and may communicate with it

Sensory Innervation

• Medial occipital scalp
• Overlaps in areas with greater occipital nerve, lesser occipital nerve
• Supplies the C2 and C3 facet joints

Motor Innervation

• None

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Clinical Significance

• Occipital Neuralgia

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See Also

• Nerve Anatomy Main
• Neck Pain Main

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