BACK OF NECK

Back of neck or nape
- Nerve supply
  - Medial branches of dorsal Rami of
  - C2 greater occipital
  - C3 third occipital nerve
- Intrinsic muscles of back
- Ligamentum nuchae
  - Separates muscles of two sides
- Muscles of nape
  - 4 layers superficial to deep
    - 1. Trapezius and latissimus dorsi
    - 2. Levator scapulae , rhomboids , serratus posterior superior
      - Splenius ( capitis and cervicis
    - 3. Erector spinae or sacrospinalis
      - Iliocostalis
      - Longissimus
      - Spianlis
    - 4. Multifudus , rotatores , interspinales , intertransversii and suboccipital muscles
- Suboccipital triangle
  - Suboccipital muscles
    - Rectus capitis posterior ( major and minor )
    - Obliquus capitis ( superior and inferior )
  - Arteries
    - Occipital artery
      - Arises opposite to facial artery from ECA
      - Course
        
        Runs backwards and upwards
        
        Deep to lower border of belly of digastric muscle
        
        Crosses carotid sheath and accessory and hypoglossal nerves
    - Deep cervical artery
    - Third part of vertebral artery
  - Exposure
    - Skin
    - Superficial fascia
  - Boundaries
  - Superomedially
    - Superior oblique capitis muscle
  - Superolaterally
    - Superior oblique capitis muscle
  - Inferiorly
    - Inferior oblique capitis muscle
  - Roof
  - Medially
    - Dense fibrous tissue
  - Laterally
    - Longissimus capitis
  - Floor
    - Posterior arch of atlas
    - Posterior atlantooccipital membrane
  - Contents
    - Third part of vertebral artery
    - Dorsal ramus of C1 nerve ( suboccipital nerve )
    - Suboccipital plexus of veins

Prevertebral muscles ( anterior vertebral muscles )
- Longus colli ( cervicis )
- Longus capitis
- Rectus capitis anterior
- Rectus capitis Lateralis