Posterior neck

Question 1

The _______ triangle is bounded by the rectus capitis posterior major, obliquus capitis superior and obliquus capitis inferior muscles.

Answer 1

suboccipital

Question 2

The splenius capitis and cervicis muscles pass superficial (posterior) to the ________ and ________ muscles.

Answer 2

semispinalis capitis

longissimus capitis

Question 3

The greater occipital nerve passes directly posterior and inferior to the _______ muscle.

Answer 3

obliquus capitis inferior

Question 4

The _______ artery is is positioned directly ________ to the posterior arch of the atlas.

Answer 4

vertebral

superior

Question 5

The greater occipital nerve is a branch of the _______ ramus of spinal nerve _______.

Answer 5

dorsal

C2

Question 6

The ________ muscle is positioned ________ to the semispinalis capitis muscle.

Answer 6

splenius capitis

superficial

Question 7

The ________ muscle is positioned ________ to the longissimus capitis muscle.

Answer 7

splenius cervicis

superficial

Question 8

The ________ nerve pierces the semispinalis capitis muscle approximately 1 cm from the midline

Answer 8

greater occipital

Question 9

The ________ ligament is located between the right and left semispinalis capitis muscles.

Answer 9

nuchal

Question 10

What are the attachments of the rectus capitis posterior major?

Answer 10

spinous process of axis –> occipital bone

Question 11

What is the function of the rectus capitis posterior major?

Answer 11

extension of the head

Question 12

What innervates the rectus capitis posterior major?

Answer 12

suboccipital n. (dorsal ramus C1)

Question 13

What 2 arteries supply the rectus capitis posterior major?

Answer 13

vertebral and occipital

Question 14

What are the attachments of the obliquus capitis superior?

Answer 14

transverse process of atlas –> occipital bone (between superior & inferior nuchal lines)

Question 15

What is the function of the obliquus capitis superior?

Answer 15

posterolateral flexion of the head

Question 16

What innervates the obliquus capitis superior?

Answer 16

suboccipital n. (dorsal ramus C1)

Question 17

What 2 arteries supply the obliquus capitis superior?

Answer 17

vertebral and occipital

Question 18

What are the attachments of the obliquus capitis inferior?

Answer 18

transverse process of axis –> transverse process of atlas

Question 19

What is the function of the obliquus capitis inferior?

Answer 19

ipsilateral rotation of the head

Question 20

What innervates the obliquus capitis inferior?

Answer 20

suboccipital n. (dorsal ramus C1)

Question 21

What 2 arteries supply the obliquus capitis inferior?

Answer 21

vertebral and occipital

Question 22

What are the attachments of the splenius capitis?

Answer 22

ligamentum nuchae and spinous processes (lower cervical and upper thoracic) –> lateral third of superior nuchal line

Question 23

What are the 2 functions of the splenius capitis?

Answer 23

extension and lateral flexion of the head

Question 24

What innervates the splenius capitis?

Answer 24

dorsal rami of cervical spinal n.

Question 25

What 4 arteries supply the splenius capitis?

Answer 25

vertebral, occipital, deep cervical and deep branch of transverse cervical

Question 26

What are the attachments of the splenius cervicis?

Answer 26

spinous processes (upper thoracic) --> transverse processes of upper three cervical vertebrae

Question 27

What are the 2 functions of the splenius cervicis?

Answer 27

extend neck (together), single side does ipsilateral rotation

Question 28

What innervates the splenius cervicis?

Answer 28

dorsal rami of cervical spinal n.

Question 29

What 4 arteries supply the splenius cervicis?

Answer 29

vertebral, occipital, deep cervical, and deep branch of the transverse cervical

Question 30

What are the attachments of the semispinalis capitis?

Answer 30

transverse processes (upper thoracic and cervical) --> occipital bone

Question 31

What is the function of the semispinalis capitis?

Answer 31

extension of the head

Question 32

What innervates the semispinalis capitis?

Answer 32

dorsal rami of cervical spinal n.

Question 33

What 4 arteries supply the semispinalis capitis?

Answer 33

vertebral, occipital, deep cervical, deep branch of transverse cervical

Question 34

What are the attachments of the longissimus capitis?

Answer 34

transverse processes (upper thoracic) --> posterior margin of the mastoid process

Question 35

What are the 2 functions of the longissimus capitis?

Answer 35

extension and ipsilateral rotation of the head

Question 36

What innervates the longissimus capitis?

Answer 36

dorsal rami of spinal n.

Question 37

What 4 arteries supply the longissimus capitis?

Answer 37

vertebral, occipital, deep cervical, deep branch of the transverse cervical

Question 38

What are the 2 functions of the medial branch of the greater occipital n.?

Answer 38

sensory and postganglionic sympathetic --> skin overlying the back of the head

Question 39

What are the 3 functions of the lateral branch of the greater occipital n.?

Answer 39

sensory, postganglionic sympathetic, motor --> splenius capitis, longissimus capitis, semispinalis capitis

Question 40

What are the attachments of the ligamentum nuchae?

Answer 40

C7 spinous process --> external occipital protuberance with slips to intervening spinous processes

Question 41

What muscle attaches to the ligamentum nuchae?

Answer 41

splenius capitis