Deep Descending Branch of Occipital Artery (Right)
Ramus descendens profundus arteriae occipitalis
Read moreQuick Facts
Origin: Descending branch of the occipital Artery.
Course: Descends deep to the semispinalis capitis and cervicis muscles.
Branches: None.
Supplied Structures: Deep muscles of the neck.
Related parts of the anatomy
Origin
The deep descending branch of the occipital artery arises from the descending branch of the occipital artery as it passes over the obliquus capitis superior muscle (Dorland, 2011).
Course
The deep descending branch of the occipital artery enters the suboccipital triangle and runs deep to the semispinalis capitis muscle.
Branches
There are no named branches, however, the deep descending branch of the occipital artery anastomosis with the vertebral artery and the deep cervical artery. This anastomosis forms a collateral circulation after ligation of the common carotid or subclavian arteries (Gray & Lewis, 1918).
Supplied Structures
The deep descending branch of the occipital artery helps supply the semispinalis capitis and cervicis muscles and the muscles of the suboccipital triangle.
References
Dorland, W. (2011) Dorland's Illustrated Medical Dictionary. 32nd edn. Philadelphia, USA: Elsevier Saunders.
Gray, H. & Lewis, W. H. (1918) Anatomy of the Human Body. Lea & Febiger.
Learn more about this topic from other Elsevier products
Artery
When the artery is occluded blood is forced through the collateral vessels, drastically increasing fluid shear stress and triggering an inflammatory response which drives vessel remodeling.
