Suboccipital triangle Flashcards
What 3 muscles form the boundaries of the suboccipital triangle?
- Rectus capitis posterior major
- Obliquus capitis superior
- Obliquus capitis inferior
Rectus capitis posterior major action
Bilaterally extends; unilaterally rotation to ipsilateral side
Obliquus capitis superior action?
Bilaterally extends; unilaterally rotation to ipsilateral side and flexion (tilts head)
Obliquus capitis inferior action?
Unilaterally rotation to ipsilateral side
What are the 3 really big important contents of suboccipital triangle?
1) Suboccipital Nerve (DR of C1)
2) Vertebral artery
3) Greater Occipital Nerve (DR of C2)
path of vertebral artery?
Ascending through the transverse foramina of C6 to C1, it then courses over the posterior arch of the atlas and medially enters the foramen magnum. Once there, it helps to form the basilar and gives off BS to the caudal part of the circle of Willis
*can see spots if compressed
vertebral artery helps form?
forms basilar artery and caudal supply to circle of Willis
What is unique about Suboccipital Nerve (DR of C1)?
*MOTOR ONLY
Most Dorsal rami have both motor and sensory, but C1 DR only has motor and gives the motor supply to all of the boundary muscles
Greater Occipital Nerve (DR of C2) purpose? location?
Sensory from posterior scalp
-Emerges below the superior muscle but courses over triangle
Where does sensation from face, anterior neck and posterior head/neck come from?
- *face= trigeminal nerve
- *anterior neck, underchin and ear= infrahyoidal muscles (Leo gets the sword)
- *posterior head/neck= dorsal rami of cervical nerves that carry sensation from the vertex of the head to the back of neck
What does ‘Leo gets the sword’ mean?
acronym for the sensory branches of cervical plexus: lesser occipital, great auricular, transverse cervical, supraclavicular
