Suboccipital Muscles

Question 1

The suboccipital muscles all bilaterally _____ and unilaterally _____

Answer 1

extend; ABD/ADD and rotate

Question 2

The suboccipital muscles are all innervated by the _____

Answer 2

suboccipital nerve (dorsal rami C1)

Question 3

rectus capitis posterior major proximal attachment

Answer 3

spinous process of C2

Question 4

rectus capitis posterior major distal attachment

Answer 4

occipital bone

Question 5

rectus capitis posterior minor proximal attachment

Answer 5

tuberosity on posterior arch of C1

Question 6

rectus capitis posterior minor distal attachment

Answer 6

occipital bone

Question 7

obliquus capitis inferior proximal attachment

Answer 7

spinous process of C2

Question 8

obliquus capitis inferior distal attachment

Answer 8

transverse process of C1

Question 9

obliquus capitis superior proximal attachment

Answer 9

transverse process of C1

Question 10

obliquus capitis superior distal attachment

Answer 10

occipital bone

Question 11

suboccipital triangle superomedial boundary

Answer 11

rectus capitis posterior major

Question 12

suboccipital triangle superolateral boundary

Answer 12

obliquus capitis superior

Question 13

suboccipital triangle inferolateral boundary

Answer 13

obliquus capitis inferior

Question 14

suboccipital triangle floor

Answer 14

posterior atlanto-occipital membrane

Question 15

suboccipital triangle roof

Answer 15

semispinalis capitis

Question 16

suboccipital triangle contents

Answer 16

vertebral artery and suboccipital nerve

Question 17

Nerves in and around the suboccipital triangle

Answer 17

• suboccipital nerve: located inside the triangle; motor to muscles of the triangle
• cutaneous nerves
• dorsal rami C3-C7