1. SUBOCCIPITAL TRIANGLE

2. 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.

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

4. 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.

5. 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.

6. 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.

7. Floor and Roof Floor: Floor: Posterior atlanto-occipital membrane. Roof: Roof: Semispinalis capitis muscle.

8. 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.

9. Suboccipital Triangle Contents Third occipital nerve: Third occipital nerve: Dorsal ramus of C3. Vertebral artery. Vertebral artery.