Suboccipital Region Flashcards
List the superficial muscles of the posterior neck
Trapezius
Part of levator scapulae
Proximal attachment of SCM
Intermediate layer of posterior neck muscles
Splenius capitus and cervicis
Cutaneous innervation to suboccipital region
Greater and lesser occipital nerves
Origin and Insertion of splenius capitis
Origins
- Nuchal ligaments
- C7-T3 spinous processes
Insertions
- Occipital bone
- Mastoid process
Origin and Insertion of splenius cervices
Origin
- T3-T6 spinous process
Insertion
- C1-C2 transverse process
What are the actions and innervations of the intermediate sub occipital muscles?
Innervation
- Post rami C1-6
Action
- Bilateral = neck extension
- Unilateral = flexion and rotation
List the deep muscles of posterior neck and their innervation
Semispinalis capitis
Longissimus capitis
Posterior rami
Origin and insertion of deep muscles of posterior neck
Origin
Semispinalis capitis = C4-T7 transverse process
Longissimus capitis = above plus T1-T3
Insertion
Semispinalis = Occipital
Longissimus = Mastoid
Name the suboccipital muscles
Rectus capitis posterior major and minor
Obliquus captitis inferior and superior
Where are the suboccipital muscles found and what is their action and innervation?
Deep to other muscles
Between C1,2 and occipital bone
Extend head (2) or rotate same side (1)
Suboccipital nerve from posterior ramus of C1
Origin and insertion of rectus capitis muscles
posterior major = C2 spinous process –> inferior nuchal line
Posterior minor = C1 posterior tubercle to inferior nuchal line
Is suboccipital nerve motor and sensory?
No only motor
Sensory = Greater occipital C2 and C3 dorsal ramus
Which artery supplies the suboccipital region?
Occipital artery
- branch of external carotid
Which artery is found in suboccipital triangle?
vertebral arteries
- branch of subclavian
Describe the venous drainage of the suboccipital region
Occipital veins drain into deep cervical vein
Deep cervical vein communicates with vertebral and brachiocephalic veins
