Skip to main content

Unfortunately we don't fully support your browser. If you have the option to, please upgrade to a newer version or use Mozilla Firefox, Microsoft Edge, Google Chrome, or Safari 14 or newer. If you are unable to, and need support, please send us your feedback.

Elsevier
Publish with us
Suboccipital Nerve
Nervous System

Suboccipital Nerve

Nervus suboccipitalis

Read more

Origin

The posterior ramus of the first cervical nerve is also referred to as the suboccipital nerve. It originates from the first cervical nerve as it divides into anterior and posterior rami.

Course

The posterior ramus passes posteriorly to emerge superior to the posterior arch of atlas and enters the suboccipital triangle to innervate the muscles in that region.

Branches

There are no named branches of the suboccipital nerve.

Supplied Structures

The posterior ramus, or suboccipital nerve innervates muscles of the suboccipital triangle (rectus capitis posterior major and minor, obliquus capitis superior and inferior) and semispinalis capitis.

Small filaments from the meninges and the atlantooccipital joint join the suboccipital nerve (or the posterior ramus) which conveys sensory information to the first cervical nerve and its posterior root (Ouaknine & Nathan, 1973).

References

Ouaknine, G. & Nathan, H. (1973) Anastomotic connections between the eleventh nerve and the posterior root of the first cervical nerve in humans. J Neurosurg, 38(2), 189-97.

Complete Anatomy

The world's most advanced 3D anatomy platform

Complete Anatomy