Suboccipital Nerve: Origin, Course And Function

Suboccipital Nerve: Origin, Course And Function

Describe the boundaries, contents and applied anatomy of the suboccipital triangle.
Answer.

The suboccipital triangle is an intermuscular triangular space situated deep in the suboccipital region.

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Boundaries

Superomedially:

Rectus capitis posterior major supplemented by the rectus capitis posterior minor.

Superolaterally:

Obliquus capitis superior.

Inferiorly

Obliquus capitis inferior.

Floor

• Posterior arch of atlas
• Posterior atlanto-occipital membrane

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Roof

• Medially
  • Dense fibrous tissue covered by semispinalis capitis
• Laterally
  • Longissimus capitis
  • Splenius capitis

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Contents

• The third part of the vertebral artery
• Dorsal ramus of the 1st cervical nerve (suboccipital nerve)
• Greater occipital nerve (dorsal ramus of C2)
• Suboccipital plexus of veins

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Applied anatomy The suboccipital triangle is the

• Site for cisternal puncture
• Site through which neurosurgeons approach the posterior cranial fossa of cranial cavity