Suboccipital Region

Question 1

What cutaneous nerves are present in the suboccipital space?

Answer 1

• Lesser occipital
• Greater occipital

Question 2

What is the origin of the suboccipital nerve?

Answer 2

Post. ramus C1

Question 3

What is the origin of the greater occipital nerve?

Answer 3

Post. ramus C2

Question 4

What is the origin of the lesser occipital nerve?

Answer 4

Ant. rami C2-3

Question 5

What is the course of the suboccipital nerve?

Answer 5

Runs between the cranium and C1 vertebra to reach suboccipital triangle

Question 6

What is the course of the greater occipital nerve?

Answer 6

Emerges inferior to obliquus capitis inferior and ascends to posterior scalp

Question 7

What is the course of the lesser occipital nerve?

Answer 7

Passes directly to skin

Question 8

What does the suboccipital nerve innervate?

Answer 8

Muscles of suboccipital triangle

Question 9

What does the greater occipital nerve innervate?

Answer 9

Skin over neck and occipital bone

Question 10

What is the function of the lesser occipital nerve?

Answer 10

Skin of superior posterolateral neck and scalp posterior to external ear

Question 11

Identify these muscles. picture

Answer 11

Splenius capitis (superior)
Splenius cervicis (inferior)

Question 12

What is the origin and insertion of the splenius capitis?

Answer 12

Origin = ligamentum nuchae + C7-T3 spinous processes
Insertion = occipital bone and mastoid

Question 13

What is the origin and insertion of the splenius cervicis?

Answer 13

Origin = T3-T6 spinous processes
Insertion = C1-2 transverse processes

Question 14

What innervates the splenius capitis and cervicis?

Answer 14

Post. rami C1-6

Question 15

What is the function of the splenius capitis and cervicis?

Answer 15

• Bilaterally extends neck and head
• Unilaterally flexes and rotates to same side

Question 16

What are these muscles? picture

Answer 16

• Semispinalis capitis (superior)
• Longissimus capitis (inferior)

Question 17

What is the origin and insertion of the semispinalis capitis?

Answer 17

Origin = C4-T7 transverse processes
Insertion = occipital bone between nuchal lines

Question 18

What is the function of the semispinalis capitis?

Answer 18

• Extends cervical spine (both sides)
• Bend to same side and rotates to opposite side (one side)

Question 19

What is the origin and insertion of the longissimus capitis?

Answer 19

Origin = T1-3 plus C4-7 transverse processes
Insertion = mastoid process

Question 20

What is the function of the longissimus capitis?

Answer 20

• Extends head
• Flexes and rotates head to same side

Question 21

What innervates the semispinalis and longissimus capitis muscles?

Answer 21

Posterior rami

Question 22

Identify these muscles. picture

Answer 22

picture

Question 23

What is the origin and insertion of the rectus capitis posterior major?

Answer 23

Origin = C2 spinous process
Attachment = inferior nuchal line

Question 24

What is the origin and insertion of the rectus capitis posterior minor?

Answer 24

Origin = C1 posterior tubercle
Attachment = inferior nuchal line

Question 25

What innervates the rectus capitis posterior major and minor?

Answer 25

Suboccipital nerve (posterior rami of C1)

Question 26

What is the function of the rectus capitis posterior major and minor?

Answer 26

- Extend head - Rotate to same side

Question 27

Identify these muscles. picture

Answer 27

Picture

Question 28

What is the origin and insertion of the obliquus capitis superior?

Answer 28

Origin = C1 transverse process Insertion = Occipital bone above inferior nuchal line

Question 29

What is the function of the obliquus capitis superior?

Answer 29

- Extends head - Tilts head to same side - Rotates head to opposite side

Question 30

What is the origin and insertion of the obliquus capitis inferior?

Answer 30

Origin = C2 spinous process Insertion = C1 transverse process

Question 31

What is the function of the obliquus capitis inferior?

Answer 31

- Extends head - Rotates head to same side

Question 32

What innervates the obliquus capitis superior and inferior?

Answer 32

Suboccipital nerve (posterior rami C1)

Question 33

What nerves are present in the suboccipital space?

Answer 33

- Suboccipital (C1) - Greater occipital (C2) - C3 dorsal ramus

Question 34

What arteries are present in the suboccipital space?

Answer 34

- Occipital artery from external carotid - Vertebral artery from subclavian

Question 35

Describe the journey of the vertebral arteries.

Answer 35

- Branch of subclavian in root of neck - Ascend neck in foramen transversarium of cervical vertebra - Cross superior surface of C1 to enter foramen magnum - R and L vertebral arteries unite to form the basilar artery

Question 36

Describe the journey of the deep cervical vein.

Answer 36

- Occipital veins run with the suboccipital nerve - Join the deep cervical vein - Deep cervical vein communicates with the vertebral veins and brachiocephalic vein

Question 37

Describe the vertebral venous system.

Answer 37

Many small veins communicating with each other

Question 38

What articulation is present between the occipital bone and C1?

Answer 38

Nodding movement

Question 39

Describe the articulation present between C1and C2.

Answer 39

- Rotation at synovial pivot joint - Shaking head

Question 40

Identify the ligaments present in this diagram.

Answer 40

PICTURE