Lesser occipital nerve

Not to be confused with Suboccipital nerve.

The lesser occipital nerve (or small occipital nerve^[1]) is a cutaneous spinal nerve of the cervical plexus.^[2] It arises from second cervical (spinal) nerve (C2) (along with the greater occipital nerve). It innervates the skin of the back of the upper neck and of the scalp posterior to the ear.

Lesser occipital nerve
Side of neck, showing chief surface markings. (Lesser occip. nerve labeled at center right.)
The nerves of the scalp, face, and side of neck. (Smaller occipital visible below and to the left of the ear.)
Details
From	Cervical plexus (C2)
Innervates	Cutaneous innervation of the posterior aspect of the auricle and mastoid region
Identifiers
Latin	nervus occipitalis minor
TA98	A14.2.02.017
TA2	6384
FMA	6871
Anatomical terms of neuroanatomy [edit on Wikidata]

Structure

Origin

It arises from the (lateral branch of the ventral ramus^[3][4]) of cervical spinal nerve C2;^[3][4][2] it (sources differ) receives^[1] or may also receive fibres from cervical spinal nerve C3.^[3][4] It originates between the atlas, and axis.^[4]

The lesser occipital nerve is one of the four cutaneous branches of the cervical plexus.^[5]

Course and relations

It curves around the accessory nerve (CN XI)^[4][3][6] to come to course anterior to it.^[3] It then^[3] curves around^[4] and ascends along the posterior border of the sternocleidomastoid muscle;^[3][4][6] rarely, it may pierce the muscle.^[4] Near the cranium, it perforates the deep cervical fascia. It is continued upwards along the scalp posterior to the auricle.^[3][4] It divides into medial and lateral segments between the inion, and intermastoid line.^[1]

Branches

It has an auricular, a mastoid, and an occipital branch.^[1]

Its auricular branch supplies the skin of the upper and back part of the auricula, communicating with the mastoid branch of the great auricular. This branch is occasionally derived from the greater occipital nerve.^{[citation needed]}

Distribution

The nerve provides sensory innervation to the upper part of the back of the neck and adjacent^[6] scalp posterior to the auricle;^[6][1] it may also contribute to the sensory innervation of the auricle itself.^[6]

Communications

It communicates with the greater occipital nerve,^[4][1] great auricular nerve, and the auricular branch of the facial nerve.^[4]

Variation

Rarely, the lesser occipital nerve may be duplicated or triplicated.^[4]

Clinical significance

Problems with the lesser occipital nerve cause occipital neuralgia. Nerve block is difficult due to variation in the course of the nerve.^[4]

Additional images

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  Dermatome distribution of the trigeminal nerve