greater occipital nerve

Introduction

Largely sensory nerve.

Origin

• dorsal ramus of C2, C1 (proprioception)

Innervation

• semispinalis capitis
• multifidus cervicis
• back part of scalp
• meningeal branches supply sensory fibers to the posterior cranial fossa
• proprioceptive fibers to the suboccipital muscles (C1)

More general terms

• peripheral nerve

Additional terms

• 1st cervical spinal nerve (C1); suboccipital nerve
• 2nd cervical spinal nerve (C2)