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Bassett Collection of Stereoscopic Images of Human Anatomy

Dissection of head and neck from a posterior approach

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

Image #79-5

KEYWORDS: Muscles and tendons, Peripheral nervous system.

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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