Nerve
Greater occipital nerve
A posterior-ramus route to the occipital scalp
High-yield
Greater occipital nerve: mainly C2 dorsal ramus. Lesser occipital nerve: cervical plexus from anterior rami. The greater occipital territory extends upward toward the vertex.
Overview
The greater occipital nerve carries sensation from much of the posterior scalp toward C2. It curves around the lower border of obliquus capitis inferior and ascends toward the scalp through layers of posterior neck muscle and fascia. Its exact passage through semispinalis capitis and trapezius varies, as does its relationship with the occipital artery.
Reference facts
- Origin
- Medial branch of the C2 dorsal ramus, with variable communications from neighboring cervical nerves
- Root value
- C2 principally; C3 contributions or communications may occur
- Course
- Turns around obliquus capitis inferior, ascends near and usually through semispinalis capitis, then reaches the scalp through trapezius muscle or its aponeurosis; muscular and arterial relationships vary
- Motor
- Small muscular branches to semispinalis capitis have been described along its proximal course; its terminal scalp distribution is sensory
- Sensory
- Much of the posterior scalp, extending toward the vertex, with overlap from adjacent occipital nerves
Clinical correlation
Occipital neuralgia can cause recurrent stabbing or shooting pain in an occipital-nerve distribution, sometimes with scalp sensitivity and tenderness along the nerve. Other headache disorders can cause similar pain, so a painful emergence point alone is not diagnostic.
Frequently asked questions
What are the roots of the greater occipital nerve?
C2 principally; C3 contributions or communications may occur.
What muscles does the greater occipital nerve supply?
Small muscular branches to semispinalis capitis have been described along its proximal course; its terminal scalp distribution is sensory.
What is the sensory distribution of the greater occipital nerve?
The greater occipital nerve carries sensation from the much of the posterior scalp, extending toward the vertex, with overlap from adjacent occipital nerves.
What is the course of the greater occipital nerve?
Turns around obliquus capitis inferior, ascends near and usually through semispinalis capitis, then reaches the scalp through trapezius muscle or its aponeurosis; muscular and arterial relationships vary.