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Dissection of head and neck from a posterior approach

Suboccipital muscles; semispinalis cervicis muscle; nerve supply to semispinalis capitis muscle

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Image #79-5
Bassett ImageDiagram Image
Legend Image
Dissection of head and neck from a posterior approach
Suboccipital muscles; semispinalis cervicis muscle; nerve supply to semispinalis capitis muscle
The semispinalis capitis muscle has been reflected laterally. Dense fibrous connective tissue and fat have been removed from beneath the muscle.
1 . Area of insertion of semispinalis capitis muscle (cut across)
2 . Insertion of splenius capitis muscle (cut across)
3 . Occipital artery
4 . Obliquus capitis superior muscle
5 . Muscular branch of occipital artery
6 . Semispinalis capitis muscle (reflected laterally)
7 . Greater occipital nerve (reflected with above muscle)
8 . Posterior branch cervical nerve II (note muscular branches)
9 . Upper pointer: Posterior branch cervical nerve III (note muscular branches) Lower pointer: Third occipital nerve (reflected with muscle)
10 . Posterior muscular branch of cervical nerve IV
11 . Posterior cutaneous branch of cervical nerve IV
12 . Tendon of origin of semispinalis capitis muscle (from transverse process thoracic vertebra II)
13 . Upper pointer: External intercostal muscle Lower pointer: Rib II
14 . Minor posterior rectus capitis muscle
15 . Posterior muscular branch of cervical nerve I
16 . Major posterior rectus capitis muscle
17 . Nuchal ligament
18 . Obliquus capitis inferior muscle
19 . Spinous process of axis
20 . Posterior vertebral venous plexus
21 . Interspinalis muscles
22 . Semispinalis cervicis muscle
23 . Spinous process cervical vertebra VI
24 . Trapezius muscle