Descending Branch of Occipital Artery (Left)
Ramus descendens arteriae occipitalis
Read moreQuick Facts
Origin: Occipital Artery.
Course: Descends over the obliquus capitis superior muscle.
Branches: Superficial and deep branches.
Supplied Structures: Trapezius and deep muscles of neck.
Related parts of the anatomy
Origin
The descending branch of the occipital artery arises from the occipital artery as it passes over the obliquus capitis superior muscle.
Course
The descending branch of the occipital artery descends over the obliquus capitis superior muscle of the suboccipital triangle.
Branches
The descending branch of the occipital artery divides into superficial and deep branches and forms an anastomosis with the superficial cervical artery (Standring, 2016).
Supplied Structures
The descending branch of the occipital artery helps supply the suboccipital muscles, including the obliquus capitis inferior and superior muscles and rectus capitis posterior major and minor muscles. Additionally, it provides arterial supply to the trapezius, splenius capitis, and cervicis muscles, and the occipital belly of the occipitofrontalis muscle (Dorland, 2011; Netter, 2011).
References
Dorland, W. (2011) Dorland's Illustrated Medical Dictionary. 32nd edn. Philadelphia, USA: Elsevier Saunders.
Netter, F. H. (2011) Atlas of Human Anatomy. Saunders/Elsevier.
Standring, S. (2016) Gray's Anatomy: The Anatomical Basis of Clinical Practice. Gray's Anatomy Series 41 edn.: Elsevier Limited.
