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.

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

Roof

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

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

Applied anatomy The suboccipital triangle is the

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