Suboccipital Triangle

Question 1

The apex of the posterior triangle of the neck is formed by what

Answer 1

The posterior border of the SCM and anterior border of the trapezius muscle

Question 2

Location of the smispinalis capitis muscle

Answer 2

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

Question 3

Where does the occipital artery emerge form to supply the scalp

Answer 3

Under cover of the splenius capitis

Question 4

Why are the 2 nerves that emerge from the semi spinalis capitis to supply the scalp

Answer 4

The greater occipital nerve (dorsal primary ramus of C2)
The third occipital nerve (dorsal primary ramus of C3)

Question 5

Location of the suboccipial triangle

Answer 5

Deep to the C3

Question 6

What are the 4 muscles in the sub occipital triangle

Answer 6

Rectus capitis posterior major
Rectus capitis posterior minor
Obliquuscapitis superior
Obliquus capitis inferior

Question 7

Attachment of obliques capitis inferior

Answer 7

From the spine of the axis to the transverse process of the atlas bilaterally

Question 8

Attachment of obliques capitis superior

Answer 8

From the transverse process of the atlas to the area between the nuchal lines, lateral to the semispinalis

Question 9

Attachment of Rectus capitis posterior major

Answer 9

From the spine of the axis to the below the inferior nuchal line, lateral to the RCP minor bilaterally

Question 10

Attachment of Rectus capitis posterior minor

Answer 10

From the posterior tubercle of atlas (a rudimentary spinous process) to the below the inferior nuchal line bilaterally.

Question 11

Does atlas have a spine? If yes, state the function.

Answer 11

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

Question 12

Course of the vertebral artery

Answer 12

Check note and slide

Question 13

What is atheroma

Answer 13

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.

Question 14

Location of C1 nerve. It emerges from where

Answer 14

Between the C1 artery and bone
The spinal cord

Question 15

What is the dorsal ramus of C1 nerve called

Answer 15

Suboccipital nerve (it enters the Suboccipital timriangle and innervates the muscles

Question 16

What is the dorsal ramus of C2 nerve called

Answer 16

Greater occipital nerve

Question 17

What is the dorsal ramus of C3 nerve called

Answer 17

Third occipital nerve

Question 18

Where does C3 emerge from

Answer 18

Between the axis and C3

Question 19

Course of C2 nerve

Answer 19

Emerges between the atlas and axis and travels superiorly over the to enter the Suboccipital triangle to form the greater occipital nerve

Question 20

Course of C1

Answer 20

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