Suboccipital

Suboccipital refers to the region located beneath the occipital bone of the skull. This area is of significant interest in the field of neurology and anatomy due to the presence of the suboccipital muscles and the suboccipital nerve.

Anatomy

The suboccipital region contains four pairs of small muscles that are located between the nuchal line of the occipital bone and the first cervical vertebra (C1), also known as the atlas. These muscles are:

• Rectus capitis posterior major
• Rectus capitis posterior minor
• Obliquus capitis superior
• Obliquus capitis inferior

These muscles are responsible for the fine motor control of head movements, particularly rotation. They are innervated by the suboccipital nerve, which is the dorsal ramus of the first cervical spinal nerve (C1).

Clinical significance

Due to their location and function, the suboccipital muscles and nerve can be involved in a variety of medical conditions. These include:

• Suboccipital headache: This is a type of headache that originates in the suboccipital region. It is often associated with tension or strain in the suboccipital muscles, which can be caused by poor posture, stress, or injury.
• Occipital neuralgia: This is a neurological condition characterized by severe pain in the upper neck, back of the head, and behind the eyes. It is often caused by irritation or damage to the suboccipital nerve.

See also

• Occipital bone
• Atlas (anatomy)
• Suboccipital nerve
• Suboccipital muscles