Suboccipital Triangle Flashcards
The apex of the posterior triangle of the neck is formed by what
The posterior border of the SCM and anterior border of the trapezius muscle
Location of the smispinalis capitis muscle
Under the trapezius muscle and it attaches to the skull between the inferior and superior nuchal lines
Origin: Articular processes of vertebrae C4-C7, transverse processes of vertebrae T1-T6
Insertion: mentioned above
Action: lateral flexion, extension of the head, rotation of the head, cervical and thoracic spine.
Innervation: greater occipital nerve C2, Spinal nerve C3
Blood supply: occipital artery
Where does the occipital artery emerge form to supply the scalp
Under cover of the splenius capitis
Why are the 2 nerves that emerge from the semi spinalis capitis to supply the scalp
The greater occipital nerve (dorsal primary ramus of C2)
The third occipital nerve (dorsal primary ramus of C3)
Location of the suboccipial triangle
Deep to the C3
What are the 4 muscles in the sub occipital triangle
Rectus capitis posterior major
Rectus capitis posterior minor
Obliquuscapitis superior
Obliquus capitis inferior
Attachment of obliques capitis inferior
From the spine of the axis to the transverse process of the atlas bilaterally
Attachment of obliques capitis superior
From the transverse process of the atlas to the area between the nuchal lines, lateral to the semispinalis
Attachment of Rectus capitis posterior major
From the spine of the axis to the below the inferior nuchal line, lateral to the RCP minor bilaterally
Attachment of Rectus capitis posterior minor
From the posterior tubercle of atlas (a rudimentary spinous process) to the below the inferior nuchal line bilaterally.
Does atlas have a spine? If yes, state the function.
No, it has a posterior tubercles. The fact that it has no spine make it allow for head extension when looking up and the long transverse process is used as levers in rotation of the head and the C1 on the dens
Course of the vertebral artery
Check note and slide
What is atheroma
degeneration of the walls of the arteries caused by accumulated fatty deposits and scar tissue, and leading to restriction of the circulation and a risk of thrombosis.
Location of C1 nerve. It emerges from where
Between the C1 artery and bone
The spinal cord
What is the dorsal ramus of C1 nerve called
Suboccipital nerve (it enters the Suboccipital timriangle and innervates the muscles
What is the dorsal ramus of C2 nerve called
Greater occipital nerve
What is the dorsal ramus of C3 nerve called
Third occipital nerve
Where does C3 emerge from
Between the axis and C3
Course of C2 nerve
Emerges between the atlas and axis and travels superiorly over the to enter the Suboccipital triangle to form the greater occipital nerve
Course of C1
It emerges from the spinal cord
Lies between the groove of the artery and bone
Dorsal primary rami enters the Suboccipital triangle and innervates the muscles there
The ventral primary rami then runs lateral to the superior articular facet and joins the hypoglossal nerve CN XII
