Posterior Ramus of Third Cervical Nerve
Ramus posterior nervi cervicalis tertii
Read moreQuick Facts
Origin: Third cervical nerve.
Course: Runs backwards around the articular pillar of C3 vertebra.
Branches: Third occipital nerve and lateral branch.
Supply: Motor innervation to multifidus, semispinalis capitis, longissimus capitis and splenius capitis muscles. Sensory innervation to the scalp below the superior nuchal line.
Related parts of the anatomy
Origin
The posterior ramus of third cervical nerve is one of two branches of the third cervical nerve, the other being the anterior ramus.
Course
The posterior ramus of the third cervical nerve passes posteriorly to emerge between the lamina of the axis (C2 vertebra) and the obliquus capitis inferior muscle. It runs backwards and winds around the articular pillar of C3 vertebra.
Branches
The posterior ramus of the third cervical nerve divides into a large medial branch, called the third occipital nerve, and a smaller lateral branch.
Supplied Structures
The posterior ramus innervates the multifidus, semispinalis capitis, longissimus capitis, and splenius capitis muscles.
Some sensory afferent neurons, which provide innervation to the skin below the superior nuchal line, transmit general sensory information regarding pain, touch, pressure, vibration, etc. via the medial branch of dorsal ramus.
The third cervical nerve also serves as a conduit for the sensory neurons innervating the meninges.
