Third Lesser Occipital Nerve, Lateral View

Description

Seen in lateral profile, the skull and upper cervical region frame the lesser occipital nerve as it ascends from the upper cervical plexus, typically carrying fibers from C2 (and sometimes C3), along the posterior border of the sternocleidomastoid muscle. Its course runs superiorly toward the mastoid process of the temporal bone, then fans into cutaneous branches over the lateral occiput and posterior auricular area. Nearby landmarks in this projection commonly include the auricle, external acoustic meatus, mandibular ramus, and the upper cervical vertebrae. Small, superficial, and easy to lose in broader head and neck schematics. A lateral view matters because this nerve is a frequent source of cervicogenic and occipital pain syndromes, and its relationship to the sternocleidomastoid and mastoid region guides both examination and intervention. Tenderness or Tinel-like dysesthesia along the posterior border of sternocleidomastoid near the mastoid can localize lesser occipital neuralgia, which may be precipitated by whiplash, entrapment in fascial planes, or postoperative scarring after mastoid or upper neck procedures. The close surface anatomy also makes it a common target for regional anesthesia, where accurate placement reduces false-negative blocks and limits spread to adjacent sensory branches. Ideal for teaching cervical plexus cutaneous branches in gross anatomy, neuroanatomy, and pain medicine curricula, and for illustrating figure panels in manuscripts on occipital neuralgia, headache referral patterns, or ultrasound-guided peripheral nerve blocks around the mastoid and sternocleidomastoid. Clinically, it supports patient education and procedural consent discussions for occipital nerve block and radiofrequency or decompression approaches that aim to spare adjacent posterior auricular sensation. Anatomical accuracy verified by SciePro's Medical Advisory Board.