Suboccipital region

Question 1

what is the origin of the suboccipital nerve

Answer 1

C1 posterior rami

Question 2

what is the origin of the greater occipital nerve

Answer 2

C2 posterior rami

Question 3

what is the origin of the lesser occipital nerve

Answer 3

C2-C3 anterior rami

Question 4

what is the course of the suboccipital nerve

Answer 4

runs between cranium and C1 vertebra to reach suboccipital triangle

Question 5

what is the course of the greater occipital nerve

Answer 5

emerges inferior to obliquus capitis inferior and ascends to posterior scalp

Question 6

what is the course of the lesser occipital nerve

Answer 6

passes directly to skin

Question 7

what is the distribution of the suboccipital nerve

Answer 7

muscles of suboccipital triangle

Question 8

what is the distribution of the greater occipital nerve

Answer 8

skin over neck and occipital bone

Question 9

what is the distribution of the lesser occipital nerve

Answer 9

skin of superior posterolateral neck and scalp posterior to external ear

Question 10

what is the distribution of the posterior rami of C3-7

Answer 10

intrinsic muscles of the back and overlying skin (adjacent to vertebral column)

Question 11

what is the most superficial muscle of the suboccipital region

Answer 11

trapezius

part of levator scapulae and SCM can also be seen

Question 12

what muscles form the intermediate layer of the suboccipital region

Answer 12

splenius capitis and splenius cervicis

Question 13

what is the innervation of splenius capitis and cervicis

Answer 13

posterior rami C1-6

Question 14

what are the attachments of splenius capitis

Answer 14

ligamentum nuchae and C7-T3 spinous processes to occipital bone (superior nuchal) and mastoid

Question 15

what are the attachments of splenius cervicis

Answer 15

T3-T6 spinous processes to C1-C2 transverse processes

Question 16

what is the function of the splenius muscles

Answer 16

bilateral - extend neck and head

unilateral - flex and rotate to same side

Question 17

what muscle group is found deep to splenius muscles

Answer 17

parts of erector spinae (semispinalis capitis and longissimus capitis)

Question 18

what are the attachments of semispinalis capitis

Answer 18

C4-T7 transverse processes to occipital bone between nuchal lines

Question 19

what is the function of semispinalis capitis

Answer 19

extends cervical spine (both)

bend neck to same side and rotates to opposite side (one)

Question 20

what are the attachments of longissimus capitis

Answer 20

T1-T3 plus C4-C7 transverse processes to mastoid process

Question 21

what is the function of longissimus capitis

Answer 21

extends head (both)
flexes and rotates head to same side (one)

Question 22

what is the innervation of the semispinalis and longissimus capitis

Answer 22

posterior rami

Question 23

the splenius muscles, semispinalis capitis and longissimus capitis work together to do what

Answer 23

extend the head and neck

Question 24

what 4 muscles attach to the mastoid process

Answer 24

SCM
posterior belly of digastric
splenius capitis
longissimus capitis

Question 25

what muscles lie deep to semispinalis capitis and longissimus capitis

Answer 25

suboccipital muscles

Question 26

where are the suboccipital muscles found

Answer 26

between C2, C1 and occipital bone

Question 27

what is the function of the suboccipital muscles

Answer 27

extend the head

Question 28

what innervates the suboccipital muscles

Answer 28

suboccipital nerve (one each side)

Question 29

where does the suboccipital nerve originate

Answer 29

posterior rami C1

Question 30

what are the parts of the suboccipital muscles

Answer 30

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

Question 31

what are the attachments of rectus capitis posterior major

Answer 31

C2 spinous process to inferior nuchal line

Question 32

what are the attachments of rectus capitis posterior minor

Answer 32

C1 posterior tubercle to inferior nuchal line

Question 33

what is the function of the rectus capitis posterior muscles

Answer 33

``` extend head (both) rotate to same side (one) ```

Question 34

what is the innervation of the rectus capitis posterior muscles

Answer 34

suboccipital nerve (posterior rami of C1)

Question 35

what are the attachments of obliquus capitis superior

Answer 35

C1 transverse process to occipital bone above inferior nuchal line

Question 36

what is the function of obliquus capitis superior

Answer 36

``` extend head (both) tilt head to same side and rotate to opposite side (one) ```

Question 37

what are the attachments of obliquus capitis inferior

Answer 37

C2 spinous process to C1 transverse process

Question 38

what is the function of obliquus capitis inferior

Answer 38

``` extend head (both) rotate to same side (one) ```

Question 39

what is the innervation of the obliquus capitis muscles

Answer 39

suboccipital nerve (posterior rami C1)

Question 40

which of the obliquus muscles is smaller and more lateral

Answer 40

obliquus capitis superior

Question 41

obliquus capitis inferior is larger and passes between what

Answer 41

C2 and C1

Question 42

the obliquus muscles are found ____ to the rectus capitis muscles

Answer 42

lateral

Question 43

which rectus capitis posterior muscle is larger

Answer 43

major

Question 44

rectus capitis posterior minor is more ___ to major

Answer 44

medial

Question 45

what nerve supplies the suboccipital muscles

Answer 45

suboccipital nerve C1

Question 46

why is the suboccipital nerve described as having only motor fibres

Answer 46

there is no C1 dermatome for the head and neck

Question 47

what nerve supplies the skin overlying the suboccipital area

Answer 47

greater occipital nerve C2

Question 48

what nerve supplies the skin and muscles of the neck

Answer 48

dorsal rami C3

Question 49

what artery supplies the sub-occipital region

Answer 49

occipital artery

Question 50

the occipital artery is a branch of what

Answer 50

external carotid

Question 51

the occipital artery sends a descending branch to anastomose with what

Answer 51

deep cervical artery

Question 52

the deep cervical artery comes from where

Answer 52

subclavian

Question 53

where are the vertebral arteries found

Answer 53

within the suboccipital triangle

Question 54

what are the boundaries of the suboccipital triangle

Answer 54

both obliquus capitis muscles and rectus capitis posterior major

Question 55

where do the vertebral arteries come from

Answer 55

branch of subclavian in root of neck

Question 56

the vertebral arteries ascend the neck where

Answer 56

in foramen transversarium of the cervical vertebra

Question 57

the vertebral arteries cross the superior surface of __ to enter foramen ___

Answer 57

C1 | foramen magnum

Question 58

describe the course of the vertebral arteries

Answer 58

cross the superior surface of C1 to enter foramen magnum

Question 59

the right and left vertebral arteries unite to form what

Answer 59

basilar artery

Question 60

how does the basilar artery supply the brain

Answer 60

contributes to the posterior part of circle of willis

Question 61

that vein runs with the suboccipital nerve

Answer 61

occipital vein

Question 62

the occipital vein joins what vein

Answer 62

deep cervical vein

Question 63

the deep cervical vein communicates with what

Answer 63

vertebral veins and brachiocephalic vein

Question 64

what vein drains the suboccipital region

Answer 64

occipital veins

Question 65

what venous structure is found at the back of the head/neck

Answer 65

posterior vertebral venous plexus where many small veins communicate with each other

Question 66

the posterior vertebral venous plexus has communications with what

Answer 66

occipital veins, emissary veins of the skull, longitudinal vertebral venous sinus, veins around vertebral artery etc

Question 67

the posterior vertebral venous plexus joins what

Answer 67

brachiocephalic vein via the deep cervical vein

Question 68

what movements occur at the base of the head and top of the cervical region

Answer 68

nodding 'yes' | shaking 'no'

Question 69

where does nodding movement take place

Answer 69

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

Question 70

where does shaking of the head take place

Answer 70

rotation between arch of atlas and dens (odontoid) process of axis C2

Question 71

what kind of joint is between the C1 arch and odontoid

Answer 71

synovial pivot joint

Question 72

what is the cruciate (also called cruciform) ligament

Answer 72

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

Question 73

the cruciate ligament is a combination of what that collectively form a cross shape between what

Answer 73

- transverse ligament of atlas - superior and inferior longitudinal ligament bands - between axis and occipital bone

Question 74

where does the alar ligament pass between

Answer 74

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

Question 75

where does the anterior longitudinal ligament attach

Answer 75

occipital bone

Question 76

where does the posterior longitudinal ligament attach

Answer 76

becomes the tectorial membrane that also attaches to the occipital bone

Question 77

where does the ALL attach inferiorly

Answer 77

sacrum

Question 78

what do the fibres of the ALL do

Answer 78

deep - bind adjacent vertebrae together | superficial - span multiple segments

Question 79

what does the ALL do

Answer 79

limits extension (anterior to axis of movement)

Question 80

what does the PLL limit

Answer 80

flexion

Question 81

what does the PLL become superiorly

Answer 81

tectorial membrane

Question 82

where does the PLL begin

Answer 82

C2

Question 83

what movements are possible between atlas and base of the skull (C1 and condyles of the occipital bone)

Answer 83

flexion extension lateral flexion

Question 84

what muscles allow flexion between atlas and base of the skull (C1 and condyles of the occipital bone)

Answer 84

longus capitis rectus capitis anterior anterior fibres of SCM suprahyoid and infrahyoid muscles

Question 85

what muscles allow extension between atlas and base of the skull (C1 and condyles of the occipital bone)

Answer 85

``` rectus capitis posterior major and minor obliquus capitis superior splenius capitis longissimus capitis trapezius ```

Question 86

what muscles allow lateral flexion between atlas and base of the skull (C1 and condyles of the occipital bone)

Answer 86

``` SCM obliquus capitis superior rectus capitis lateralis longissimus capitis splenius capitis ```

Question 87

what muscles cause ipsilateral rotation of the head between atlas and axis

Answer 87

obliquus capitis inferior rectus capitis posterior major and minor longissimus capitis splenius capitis

Question 88

what muscles cause contralateral rotation of the head between atlas and axis

Answer 88

SCM | semispinalis capitis

Question 89

how many cervical vertebrae

Answer 89

7

Question 90

what are the atypical cervical vertebrae

Answer 90

C1 C2 C7 | C3-C6 typical

Question 91

C3-C6 (typical) have what kind of spinous process

Answer 91

bifid

Question 92

C3-C6 (typical) have what in each transverse process

Answer 92

foramen transversarium

Question 93

C1 does not possess

Answer 93

a body

Question 94

how does C1 articulate with the skull

Answer 94

occipital condyles

Question 95

how does C1 articulate with C2

Answer 95

facet on anterior arch articulates with odontoid process of axis

Question 96

describe the spinous process of C2

Answer 96

large

Question 97

describe the spinous process of C7

Answer 97

large, non-bifid

Question 98

what is another name for C7

Answer 98

vertebra prominens

Question 99

what kind of joints are between the vertebral bodies

Answer 99

secondary cartilaginous (IVD)

Question 100

what kind of joints are between the articular processes of vertebrae

Answer 100

plane synovial facet joints

Question 101

what movements are possible between the cervical vertebrae

Answer 101

``` flexion extension lateral bending rotation - small movements at each level collectively form a larger movement of the neck as a whole ```

Question 102

what muscles cause flexion of the cervical region

Answer 102

bilateral action of longus coli, scalene, SCM

Question 103

what muscles cause extension of the cervical region

Answer 103

deep neck muscles - semispinalis cervicis and iliocostalis cervicis - splenius cervicis and levator scapulae - splenius capitis - multifidis - longissimus capitis - semispinalis capitis - trapezius

Question 104

what muscles cause lateral bending

Answer 104

unilateral action of iliocostalis cervicis, longissimus capitis and cervicis, splenius capitis and cervicis, intertransversarii and scalenes

Question 105

what muscles cause rotation of cervical region

Answer 105

unilateral action of rotatores, semispinalis capitis and cervicis, multifidis, splenius cervicis