Greater occipital nerve

The greater occipital nerve (Latin for " great occipital nerve" ) is a peripheral nerve of the neck. It arises from the dorsal ( dorsal / posterior ) branch of the second Spinalnervens. In humans, its sensory branch pierces the trapezius muscle and pulls the occipital region.

The nerve supplies in the neck motor musculus semispinalis, the longissimus muscle and the splenius. Sensitive nerve innervates the skin of the back of the head.

Repeated local anesthesia of the greater occipital nerve is a treatment procedure in occipital neuralgia and cluster headache. Electrical stimulation of the nerve ( occipital nerve stimulation ) is a method for treating chronic migraine.