Suboccipital Region Flashcards
What are the attachments of obliquus capitis inferior?
C2 spinous process
To C1 transverse process
What is the role of Obliquus capitis superior?
Extends head
Tilts head to same side
Rotates head to opposite side
What is this muscle?
Splenius cervicis
What is this muscle?
Semispinalis Capitis
What muscles lie either side of the vertebral artery in the suboccipital triangle?
Obliquus capitus muscles and the rectus capitis posterior major
Which of the cervical vertebrae are typical in shape?
C3 - C6
What are the movements of the rectus capitis muscles?
Extends the head
Rotate to the same side
Through which foramen do the vertebral arteries ascend the neck in?
Foramen transversarium of the cervical vertebrae
What movement occurs between atlas (C1) and the occipital condyles of the skull?
Nodding (yes) movement
What are the 4 muscles that attach to the mastoid process?
SCM
Posterior belly of digastric
Splenius Capitis
Longissimus Capitis
What are the attachments of obliquus capitis superior?
C1 transverse process
To occipital bone (above the inferior nuchal line)
What are the attachments of rectus capitis posterior minor?
C1 posterior tubercle
To inferior nuchal line
What are the attachments of rectus capitis posterior major?
C2 spinous process
To the inferior nuchal line
What is this muscle?
Splenius capitis
What is this muscle?
Rectus capitis posterior minor
What artery supplies the occipital region?
The occipital artery
which then descends to anastomose with the deep cervical artery of the subclavian
What muscles are contained within the intermediate layer of the suboccipital region?
Splenius capitus
Splenius cervicis
What are the superficial muscles of the suboccipital region?
Trapezius
Levator Scapulae
Proximal attachment of the SCM
What are the attachments of longissimis capitis?
C4-T3 transverse process
Inserts into the mastoid process
What foramen do the vertebral arteries pass through to enter the skull?
Foramen Magnum
What supplies cutaneous innervation to the suboccipital region?
The greater and lesser occipital nerves from the cervical plexus
What does the posterior longitudinal ligament of the occipital region become?
Tectorial membrane
What is the attachments of splenius cervicis?
T3-T6 spinous process
To C1-C2 transverse process
Describe the union of the left and right vertebral arteries
Unite to form the basilar artery which join the Circle of Willis to supply the brain
What are the movements associated with splenius capitis and cervicis?
Bilaterally - extend the head and neck
Unilaterally - flexes and rotates to the same side
Which structure runs with the occipital vein?
Suboccipital nerve
What movement occurs between the arch of atlas (C1) and the odontoid process of the axis (C2)?
Shaking (no) movement
What does the dorsal ramus of C3 supply?
The skin and muscles of the neck
What is this muscle?
Longissimus Capitis
What is this muscle?
Obliquus capitis superior
What is this muscle?
Obliquus capitis inferior
What are the movements of semispinalis capitis?
Both extends the cervical spine
One will bend to the same side and rotate to the opposite side
What movements occur at the cervical vertebrae?
Flexion
Extension
Lateral Bending
Rotation
What vein do the occipital veins join with?
Deep cervical vein
What is the innervation of the suboccipital muscles?
Suboccipital nerve- origin is the posterior ramus of C1
What are the movements of longissimus capitis?
Extends the head (both)
Flexes and rotates the head to the same side
What are the attachments of semispinalis capitis?
Transverse processes of C4-T7
Inserts into occipital bone between the nuchal lines
Which veins does the deep cervical vein communicate with?
Vertebral veins
Brachiocephalic vein
What are the attachments of splenius capitis?
Ligamentum nuchae and C7-T3 spinous processes
Inserts into occipital bone (superior nuchal) and mastoid
What is this muscle?
Rectus capitis posterior major
What is the large non-bifid process of C7 called?
Vertebra Prominens
What are the suboccipital muscles (4)?
Rectus capitis posterior major
Rectus capitis posterior minor
Obliquus capitis superior
Obliquus capitis inferior
What is the innervation of splenius capitus and cervicis?
Posterior rami of C1-C6
What forms the cruciate ligament of the axis and occipital bone?
Transverse ligament of atlas
Superior and Inferior longitudinal ligaments
What are the attachments of the alar ligament of the occipital region?
Passes from the dens of the axis (C2) to the medial sides of the occipital condyles
