Superficial Descending Branch of Occipital Artery (Right)
Ramus descendens superficialis arteriae occipitalis
Read moreQuick Facts
Origin: Descending branch of the occipital Artery.
Course: Courses deep to the splenius capitis muscle.
Branches: None.
Supplied Structures: Trapezius muscle.
Related parts of the anatomy
Origin
The superficial descending branch of the occipital artery arises from the descending branch of the occipital artery as it passes over the obliquus capitis superior muscle (Dorland, 2011).
Course
The superficial descending branch of the occipital artery runs deep to the splenius capitis muscle. It then pierces it to reach the trapezius muscle.
Branches
There are no named branches.
Supplied Structures
The superficial descending branch of the occipital artery helps supply the splenius capitis and trapezius muscles.
References
Dorland, W. (2011) Dorland's Illustrated Medical Dictionary. 32nd edn. Philadelphia, USA: Elsevier Saunders.
Learn more about this topic from other Elsevier products
Artery
Arteries are vessels transporting blood between heart, tissues, and other organs in order to supply them with nutrition and oxygen.
