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Occipital Artery Branches

rami arteriae occipitalis

The occipital artery (from the ECA) gives off multiple branches as it courses toward the posterior scalp: the muscular branches to the digastric, stylohyoid, and splenius capitis; the auricular branch to the posterior auricle; the meningeal branch (entering through the mastoid foramen to supply the dura of the posterior fossa); the descending branch (to the suboccipital triangle, anastomosing with the deep cervical and vertebral arteries); and the terminal scalp branches supplying the posterior scalp to the vertex.

Region: Head & Skull

Clinical Relevance

Clinical Notes

The occipital artery provides the basis for the occipital artery pedicled scalp flap used in posterior scalp reconstruction and for the posterior auricular flap. Its meningeal branch through the mastoid foramen is a small variant meningeal supply that can be a pedicle for posterior fossa dural AVMs. The greater occipital nerve (GON) accompanies the occipital artery in the suboccipital region and is specifically targeted in occipital nerve blocks for occipital neuralgia and cervicogenic headache — the pulsatile arterial landmark guides needle placement for the GON block.

Pathology

Common Injuries & Conditions

Occipital Artery as GON Block Landmark

The greater occipital nerve travels with the occipital artery at the superior nuchal line, 2-3 cm lateral to the external occipital protuberance; palpating the arterial pulsation guides needle placement for occipital nerve block, with injection of local anaesthetic medial to the artery at this level producing reliable occipital scalp anaesthesia.