Corpus: Greater occipital nerve

The greater occipital nerve arises from the posterior branch (dorsal ramus) of the second cervical spinal nerve (C2).

The greater occipital nerve exits the second spinal nerve immediately after it passes through the intervertebral foramen. It curves around the inferior oblique muscle of the head and pierces the trapezius muscle to reach the back of the head (occiput).

The fibers of the anterior branch of the second spinal nerve contribute to the cervical plexus and form the lesser occipital nerve.

The greater occipital nerve provides sensory innervation to parts of the scalp in the occipital region and to the meninges of the posterior cranial fossa via its meningeal branches.

It also innervates the semispinalis, longissimus, and splenius muscles in the neck region.

Irritation or inflammation of the greater occipital nerve can cause occipital neuralgia, characterized by pain in the occipital region.