THE CUTANEOUS LOCATION OF THE GREATER OCCIPITAL NERVE IN ADULT VIETNAMESE CADAVERS
Main Article Content
Abstract
Objectives: Report the cutaneous location of the greater occipital nerve in adult Vietnamese cadavers. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted on 22 half head specimens obtained from 11 adult Vietnamese cadavers preserved by formal at the Department of Anatomy, Pham Ngoc Thach University of Medicine, from October 2024 to January 2025. Dissection was performed to examine the morphological characteristics and cutaneous location of the greater occipital nerve. Results: The study observed in 100% of cases that have the greater occipital nerve under skin. In three types, the most common form is the greater occipital nerve pierced fascia between trapezius and sternocleidomastoid muscle (81,8%). With reference to the external occipital protuberance, the greater occipital nerve pierced at a point 30,5 ± 10,8 (mm) lateral and 20,2 ± 8,3 (mm) inferior. A circle with a radius of 2 cm drawn at the medial trisection point of a line connecting between the external occipital protuberance and mastoid process. The greater occipital nerve pierced within the circle in 54,5% of the specimens. The piercing point was observed most frequently in the inferolateral (50%) sector of the circle. Conclusion: The cutaneous location of the greater occipital nerve pierced was different between races, necessitating further studies with larger sample sizes in the Vietnamese population.
Article Details
Keywords
The greater occipital nerve, occipital neuralgia
References

2. Buse D. Headache Classification Committee of the International Headache Society (IHS) The International Classification of Headache Disorders, 3rd edition. Cephalalgia. 2018;38(1):1-211.

3. Choi I, Jeon SR. Neuralgias of the Head: Occipital Neuralgia. J Korean Med Sci. 2016;31(4):479-88.

4. Greher M, Moriggl B, Curatolo M, Kirchmair L, Eichenberger U. Sonographic visualization and ultrasound-guided blockade of the greater occipital nerve: a comparison of two selective techniques confirmed by anatomical dissection. Br J Anaesth. 2010;104(5):637-42.

5. Natsis K, Baraliakos X, Appell HJ, Tsikaras P, Gigis I, Koebke J. The course of the greater occipital nerve in the suboccipital region: a proposal for setting landmarks for local anesthesia in patients with occipital neuralgia. Clin Anat. 2006;19(4):332-6.

6. Tubbs RS, Watanabe K, Loukas M, Cohen-Gadol AA. The intramuscular course of the greater occipital nerve: novel findings with potential implications for operative interventions and occipital neuralgia. Surg Neurol Int. 2014;5:155.

7. Kariya K, Usui Y, Higashi N, Nakamoto T, Shimbori H, Terada S, et al. Anatomical basis for simultaneous block of greater and third occipital nerves, with an ultrasound-guided technique. J Anesth. 2018;32(4):483-92.

8. Won HJ, Ji HJ, Song JK, Kim YD, Won HS. Topographical study of the trapezius muscle, greater occipital nerve, and occipital artery for facilitating blockade of the greater occipital nerve. PLoS One. 2018;13(8):e0202448.

9. Huanmanop T, Issara I, Agthong S, Chentanez V. Evaluation of the greater occipital nerve location regarding its relation to intermastoid and external occipital protuberance to mastoid process lines. Folia Morphol (Warsz). 2021;80(3):533-41.

10. Laine G, Jecko V, Wavasseur T, Gimbert E, Vignes JR, Liguoro D. Anatomy of the Greater Occipital Nerve Implications in Posterior Fossa Approaches. Research Square. 2021.
