Health Dictionary
Reliable, easy-to-read patient information on common medical conditions — written in plain language, free of jargon, and grounded in current evidence. Browse the most frequent diagnoses, understand what they mean for everyday life, and learn which steps and questions help you have a focused conversation with your doctor.
Greater occipital nerve
Introduction
The greater occipital nerve is a spinal nerve arising from the dorsal primary rami of cervical spinal nerve 2, between the first and second cervical vertebrae, along with the lesser occipital nerve.
It innervates the scalp at the top of the head, over the ear and over the parotid glands.
Clinical relevance
Clinical relevance
Disorder of this nerve is one of the causes of cervicogenic headaches, referred to as occipital neuralgias.
Additional images
Additional images
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The nerves of the scalp, face, and side of neck.
External links
External links
Editor-In-Chief: Template:Infobox Nerve C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]