Suboccipital Muscles

Question 1

What is the connection of the suboccipital muscles? what is their main function?

Answer 1

It connects C1 and C2 to the base of the skull. It functions to extend and rotate the head at the AA joint.

Question 2

what innervates the suboccipital muscles?

Answer 2

posterior ramus of C1. This CN enters between the vertebral artery and the posterior arch of atlas.

Question 3

what are the borders of the suboccipital triangle?

Answer 3

Medial border: rectus capitis posterior major
lateral border: obliquus capitis superior
inferior border: obliquus capitis inferior

Question 4

what is inside the suboccipital triangle?

Answer 4

the posterior rami of C1 and the vertebral artery and associated veins as well as the suboccipital nerve

Question 5

origin, insertion, and action of rectus capitis posterior major

Answer 5

Origin: spinous process C2
insertion: lateral portion of occipital bone below inferior nuchal line
Action: extension and rotation of head

Question 6

origin, insertion, and action of rectus capitis posterior minor

Answer 6

Origin: posterior tubercle of C1
Insertion: medial portion of occiput below inferior nuchal line and dura mater
Action: ext of head

Question 7

why can the rectus capitis posterior minor cause headaches

Answer 7

it attaches to the dura mater which can cause headaches by disrupting CSF. People who are protracted are likely to experience this.

Question 8

origin, insertion, and action of obliquus capitis superior

Answer 8

Origin: transverse process C1
Insertion: occiput between superior and inferior line
Action: extend and bend head

Question 9

origin, insertion, and action of obliquus capitis inferior

Answer 9

Origin: spinous process of C2
Insertion: transverse process of C1
Action: rotation of head

Question 10

A 45-year-old man was involved in a serious car accident. During examination, it was found that he had a severe injury to the cervical region of his vertebral column with damage to the spinal cord. His breathing became erratic and stopped.
1. Considering that his breathing stopped. At what cervical level did the injury occur?
2. Why did his breathing did not stop immediately but became erratic before stopping?
3. If his breathing was unaffected at what level the injury would be?

Answer 10

1. The phrenic nerve is at the level of C3-C5. Therefore, the injury must occur at these levels or above. The cervical plexus is formed by the anterior rami of C1-C4.
2. The accessory nerve innervates SCM and trap. It is likely that the body was using these muscles to breathe.
3. Anything below C3-C5.