The greater occipital nerve is a peripheral nerve that arises from the second of the Spinal nerves. It traverses the trapezius muscle and courses toward the occipital region.
Innervation
In the neck region, the greater occipital nerve provides motor innervation to the semispinalis muscle, the Musculus longissimusMusculus splenius
Clinical relevance
During surgical stabilization of the Atlas, the greater occipital nerve may be injured during preparation of the posterior arch of the atlas or placement of the screws.
The greater occipital nerve may be injured during paramedian suboccipital approaches, such as a supracerebellar infratentorial approach.
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