Third Occipital Nerve, Lateral View

Description

Running posterolaterally from the upper cervical region to the occiput, the third occipital nerve (dorsal ramus of C3) is shown emerging near the C2 to C3 facet complex and ascending superficial to the deep suboccipital musculature toward the nape of the neck. Lateral to the cervical spinous processes it courses through the posterior cervical compartment, in proximity to the splenius capitis and semispinalis capitis, before becoming cutaneous over the inferior occipital scalp. A segment of the external ear provides a fixed surface landmark, and the illustration’s color coding also situates adjacent cervical nerves, regional arteries, and veins against the facial and neck musculature. For clinicians, this nerve matters because it is the main sensory supply to the C2 to C3 zygapophysial (facet) joint and a frequent generator of cervicogenic headache after whiplash or degenerative facet arthropathy. Pain referral into the occipital region can mimic greater occipital neuralgia, but the third occipital nerve has a more inferior distribution and is targeted with diagnostic blocks or radiofrequency neurotomy along the C2 to C3 articular pillar. Precise lateral anatomy helps you understand why needle trajectories must respect the depth of the semispinalis capitis and the nearby posterior cervical vascular channels. Use this artwork to support teaching in gross anatomy, neuroanatomy, and pain medicine modules that cover dorsal rami, posterior neck compartments, and cutaneous innervation of the scalp. It also reads well in interventional pain and spine surgery publications illustrating third occipital nerve block technique, C2 to C3 facet pain pathways, and differential diagnosis of occipital headache. Anatomical accuracy verified by SciePro's Medical Advisory Board.