sub occipital region

Question 1

which 2 nerves supply cutaneous sensory innervation to the skin of the suboccipital region?

Answer 1

the greater and lesser occipital nerves

Question 2

what are the muscles in the superficial suboccipital region?

Answer 2

trapezius
part of levator scapulae
the proximal part of SCM

Question 3

what are the muscles of the intermediate layer of the suboccipital region?

Answer 3

splenius capitis and splenius cervicis

Question 4

where does splenius capitis run from / to?

Answer 4

for the nuchal ligament and C3-C7 spinous process to the occipital bone

Question 5

where does splenius crevicis run from / to?

Answer 5

from T3-T6 sopinous processes to C1-C2 transverse processes

Question 6

what is the innervation of splenius capitis and splenius cervicis?

Answer 6

both innervated by the posterior rami of C1-C6

Question 7

what are the functions of splenius capitis and splenius cervicis?

Answer 7

bilateral = extend the head and neck
unilateral = flex and rotate to the same side

Question 8

what muscle group lies beneath splenius capitis and splenius cervicis?

Answer 8

erector spinae

Question 9

what are the 4 muscles that attach to the mastoid process?

Answer 9

SCM
the posterior belly of digastric
splenius capitis
longissimus capitis

Question 10

where do the suboccipital muscles lie?

Answer 10

deep between C1-C2 and the occipital bone

Question 11

what is the collective function of the suboccipital muscles?

Answer 11

extend the head (tilt it backwards)

Question 12

what nerve innervates the suboccipital muscles?

Answer 12

the suboccipital nerve (one on either side)

Question 13

where does the suboccipital nerve originate from?

Answer 13

the posterior ramus of C1

Question 14

what are the muscles of the suboccipital region?

Answer 14

rectus capitis posterior major
rectus capitis posterior minor
obliquus capitis inferior
obliquus capitis superior

Question 15

where does rectus capitis posterior major attach?

Answer 15

to C2 spinous process inferior to the nuchal line

Question 16

where does rectus capitis posterior minor attach?

Answer 16

to C1 posterior tubercle inferior to the nuchal line

Question 17

where to the obliquus capitis muscles lie in relation to the rectus capitis muscles?

Answer 17

the sit lateral to the rectus capitis muscles

Question 18

which of the obliquus capitis muscles are larger?

Answer 18

obliquus capitis inferior

Question 19

where does obliquus capiits inferior pass between?

Answer 19

C1 and C2

Question 20

where in reaction to obliquus capiits inferior does obliquus capitis superior lie?

Answer 20

more laterally

Question 21

what is the function of both of the obliquus capitis muscles?

Answer 21

both of them: extends the head
one of them: rotates the head to the same side

Question 22

what nerve innervates obliquus capiits muscles?

Answer 22

the suboccipital nerve (posterior rami of C1)

Question 23

why is the there no C1 dermatome?

Answer 23

because the suboccipital nerve (C1) has only motor fibres

Question 24

what is the innervation to the skin and muscles of the neck?

Answer 24

the dorsal ramus of C3

Question 25

what is the arterial supply to the suboccipital region?

Answer 25

supplied by the suboccipital artery

Question 26

which 2 arteries form the subclavian artery?

Answer 26

the descending branch from the suboccipital artery and the deep cervical artery

Question 27

where do the vertebral arteries lie?

Answer 27

in the suboccipital triangle bound by both obliquus caopitis muscles and rectus capitis posterior major

Question 28

where do the vertebral arteries arise from?

Answer 28

the subclavian artery

Question 29

how is the basilar artery formed?

Answer 29

the two vertebral arteries (one from either side) unite to form the basilar artery

Question 30

what is the course of the vertebral arteries?

Answer 30

the ascend the neck and then enter the cranial cavity through the foramen magnum

Question 31

where does the basilar artery supply?

Answer 31

it contributes to the posterior part of the circle of wills that supplies the brain

Question 32

explain the venous drainage of the suboccipital region

Answer 32

the occipital veins drain the suboccipital region into the deep cervical vein

Question 33

which 2 veins do the deep cervical veins communicate w/?

Answer 33

the vertebral veins and the brachiocephalic vein

Question 34

what structure does the occipital vein run w/?

Answer 34

the suboccipital nerve

Question 35

what is the posterior vertebral venous plexus?

Answer 35

many small veins communicating w/ each other

Question 36

what vein does the posterior vertebral venous plexus join and how does it do this?

Answer 36

it joins the brachiocephalic vein via the deep cervical vein

Question 37

what are the 2 movements that occur are the base of the head and the top of the cervical region?

Answer 37

head shaking head nodding

Question 38

describe how head nodding occurs

Answer 38

occurs between the atlas (C1) and the occipital condyles of the skull

Question 39

describe how head sharking occurs

Answer 39

rotation between the arch of the atlas (C1) and the dens of the axis (C2)

Question 40

what are the ligaments that stabilise the head on C1 and support the atlantoaxial joint?

Answer 40

the cruciate ligament the alar ligament the anterior and posterior longitudinal ligaments

Question 41

what is the cruciate ligament?

Answer 41

the transverse ligament of the atlas combined w/ superior and inferior longitudinal bands that collectively form a cross shape between the axis and the occipital bone

Question 42

where does the alar ligament pass from / to?

Answer 42

from the dens of the axis to the medial sides of the occipital condyles

Question 43

where does the anterior longitudinal ligament attach to?

Answer 43

the occipital bone

Question 44

where does the posterior longitudinal ligament attach to?

Answer 44

the posterior longitudinal ligament becomes the tectorial membrane that also attaches to the occipital bone

Question 45

what are the 3 movements possible between the atlas (C1) and the occipital coondyles at the base of the skull?

Answer 45

flexion extension lateral flexion

Question 46

what is the one movement that is possible between the atlas and axis?

Answer 46

movement from left to right

Question 47

why is C1 (atlas) not a typical vertebrae?

Answer 47

because it does not have a vertebral body (has an anterior arch instead) and does not have spinous process (has lateral masses instead)

Question 48

why is C2 (axis) not a typical vertebrae?

Answer 48

because it has a bony projection called the dens / odontoid process that articulates w/ the atlas and also has large spinous process

Question 49

why is C7 (vertebrae prominens) not a typical vertebrae?

Answer 49

because it has a large monofid spinous process

Question 50

what are the 4 movements of the cervical spine?

Answer 50

flexion extension lateral bending rotation