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. Anterior longitudinal ligament. Posterior longitudinal ligament. Posterior longitudinal ligament. Ligamentum flavum. Ligamentum flavum. Ligamentum nuchae: 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: Obliquus capitis superior: Weak extensor of the neck. Obliquus capitis inferior: Obliquus capitis inferior: Strong rotator of atlas. Rectus capitis posterior major: Rectus capitis posterior major: Extension of vertebral column. Rectus capitis posterior minor: Rectus capitis posterior minor: Extension of vertebral column.
Floor and Roof Floor: Floor: Posterior atlanto-occipital membrane. Roof: Roof: Semispinalis capitis muscle.
Suboccipital Triangle Contents Suboccipital nerve: Suboccipital nerve: Dorsal ramus of C1. No sensory function and no dorsal root. Motor to muscles of suboccipital triangle. Greater occipital nerve: Greater occipital nerve: Dorsal ramus of C2. Sensory to back of skull.
Suboccipital Triangle Contents Third occipital nerve: Third occipital nerve: Dorsal ramus of C3. Vertebral artery. Vertebral artery.