Suboccipital Triangle Flashcards
Describe the location of the suboccipital triangle.
Inferior to external occipital protuberance, in upper cervical region.
What is the floor of the suboccipital triangle?
Posterior atlanto-occipital membrane
What is the roof of the suboccipital triangle?
Semispinalis
Describe the signifiance of the C2 spinous process.
Marks the inferior, medial angle of the suboccipital triangle
Obliquus Capitis Inferior
Inferior border of triangle
Innervation:
- Suboccipital nerve
Obliquus Capitis Superior
Lateral border of triangle
Innervation:
- Suboccipital n.
Rectus Capitis Posterior Major
Medial border of triangle
Innervation:
- Suboccipital n.
Rectus Capitis Posterior Minor
Not part of triangle
Innervation:
- Suboccipital n.
Greater Occipital Nerve
Seen inferior/lateral of triangle, passing over triangle
- Posterior ramus of C2
-
Sensory only
- Sensation from scalp
Suboccipital Nerve
Emerges in the suboccipital triangle
- Posterior ramus of C1
- Motor only
- Supplies suboccipital triangle mm.
Vertebral Artery
- Deep within suboccipital triangle
- Travels through transverse foramina to triangle
- Pierces floor of triangle (atlantooccipital membrane) to enter skull
- Supplies brain
Occipital Artery
- Lateral to suboccipital triangle
- Supplies scalp
- Near greater occipital nerve
Describe the clinical significance of the suboccipital triangle as discussed in class.
- There is connective tissue that connects the rectus capitis posterior minor and major to the dura mater
- Suspected to cause migraines/tension headaches
