SUBOCCIPITAL

TRIANGLE

Bony Articulations
Occipital bone:
Occipital condyles.
Atlas:
Posterior tubercle.
Posterior arch.
Anterior arch.
Transverse process with foramina.
Lateral masses:
Articulation with occipital condyles.
Articulation with axis.

Bony Articulations
Axis:
Dens (odontoid process).
Spinous process.
Transverse processes with foramina.

Vertebral Column Ligaments

Anterior longitudinal ligament.
Posterior longitudinal ligament.
Ligamentum flavum.
Ligamentum nuchae:

Supraspinous + interspinous ligaments.

Cervical and Craniovertebral Joints

Three synovial joints:
No intervertebral disc.
Between dens and anterior arch of the atlas.
Between lateral masses of atlas and axis (x2).

Ligaments:
Apical ligament.
Alar ligaments.
Cruciate ligaments.
Tectorial membrane.

Suboccipital Triangle Muscles

Obliquus capitis superior:

Weak extensor of the neck.

Obliquus capitis inferior:

Strong rotator of atlas.

Rectus capitis posterior major:

Extension of vertebral column.

Rectus capitis posterior minor:

Extension of vertebral column.

Floor and Roof

Floor:
Posterior atlanto-occipital membrane.

Roof:
Semispinalis capitis muscle.

Suboccipital Triangle Contents

Suboccipital nerve:
Dorsal ramus of C1.
No sensory function and no dorsal root.
Motor to muscles of suboccipital triangle.

Greater occipital nerve:

Dorsal ramus of C2.
Sensory to back of skull.

Suboccipital Triangle Contents

Third occipital nerve:
Dorsal ramus of C3.
Vertebral artery.