Suboccipital nerve

The suboccipital nerve is the posterior branch ( ramus dorsalis ) of the first spinal nerve. It is purely motor and supplies the intrinsic back muscles of the deep neck triangle:

• Rectus capitis posterior minor,
• Rectus capitis posterior major,
• Abdominal capitis superior and
• Capitis inferior oblique muscle.

Next he gives off branches to the musculus semispinalis capitis and longissimus capitis.

Clinical reference

In the so-called Arnold neuralgia is neuralgic pain in the innervation of the ulnar suboccipital, which can be triggered when touching the nerve exit points.

Literature and sources

• Theodor H. Schiebler (ed.). Anatomy. Cytology, histology, development history, macroscopic and microscopic anatomy of man. In consideration of the subject catalog. 8 completely revised and updated edition. Springer, Berlin et al 1999, ISBN 3-540-65824-6.

• Peripheral Nervous System