| Greater occipital nerve | |
|---|---|
 Posterior primary divisions of the upper three cervical nerves. (Great occipital nerve labeled at center top.) | |
| Details | |
| From | C2 |
| Innervates | Semispinalis capitis,scalp |
| Identifiers | |
| Latin | nervus occipitalis major |
| TA98 | A14.2.02.008 |
| TA2 | 6366 |
| FMA | 65443 |
| Anatomical terms of neuroanatomy | |
Thegreater occipital nerve is a nerve of the head. It is aspinal nerve, specifically the medial branch of thedorsal primary ramus ofcervical spinal nerve 2. It arises from between the first and secondcervical vertebrae, ascends, and then passes through thesemispinalis muscle. It ascends further to supply the skin along theposterior part of thescalp to thevertex. It supplies sensation to thescalp at the top of thehead, over theear and over theparotid glands.[1]
The greater occipital nerve is the medial branch of thedorsal primary ramus ofcervical spinal nerve 2. It may also involve fibres fromcervical spinal nerve 3.[2] It arises from between the first and secondcervical vertebrae, along with thelesser occipital nerve. It ascends after emerging from below thesuboccipital triangle beneath theobliquus capitis inferior muscle. Just below the superior nuchal ridge, it pierces thefascia.[2] It ascends further to supply the skin along theposterior part of thescalp up to thevertex.[2]
The greater occipital nerve supplies sensation to thescalp at the top of thehead, over theear and over theparotid glands.[citation needed]
Problems with the greater occipital nerve may be a cause ofcervicogenic headaches.[2] These may be referred to asoccipital neuralgias. A common site, and usually misdiagnosed area of entrapment for the greater occipital nerve, is at theobliquus capitis inferior muscle.[3] These may be treated with a temporarynerve block.[2]
Most people withtension headaches experience increasing intensity with time, and report pain originating in the back of the head (occipital) moving to the front of the head (supraorbital). Neurostimulation is sometimes used to treat tension headaches that originate from the occipital nerve.[4]
