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Elsevier
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Lesser Occipital Nerve
Nervous System

Lesser Occipital Nerve

Nervus occipitalis minor

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Quick Facts

Origin: Anterior ramus of second cervical nerve (C2).

Course: Ascends along the posterior border of sternocleidomastoid muscle and pierces the deep fascia to reach the skin behind the auricle.

Branches: None.

Supply: Posterior auricular skin.

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Origin

The lesser occipital nerve arises from the anterior ramus of the second cervical nerve (sometimes also receiving a contribution from anterior ramus of the third cervical nerve).

Course

The lesser occipital nerve winds around the spinal accessory nerve and then ascends along the posterior border of sternocleidomastoid muscle. The nerve pierces the deep fascia at the level of the cranium to reach the scalp behind the auricle.

Branches

There are no named branches.

Supplied Structures

The lesser occipital nerve provides cutaneous innervation to the posterior surface of the auricle and the adjacent portion of the scalp.

List of Clinical Correlates

—Cervicogenic headache

Complete Anatomy

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Complete Anatomy