Which vessel is found within the suboccipital triangle?

Which vessel is found within the suboccipital triangle?

• A. Internal carotid artery
• B. Vertebral artery
• C. Occipital artery
• D. External carotid artery

Answer: (B)

The vertebral artery is the vessel found in the suboccipital triangle. This small posterior neck region is bounded by the rectus capitis posterior major and the two obliques, and its contents include the vertebral artery along with the dorsal ramus of C1 (suboccipital nerve). The vertebral artery travels from the subclavian artery, ascends through the transverse foramina of the cervical vertebrae, winds medially behind the atlas, and enters the foramen magnum to supply the brainstem and cerebellum. Because of this deep posterior course, it lies within the triangle, whereas the carotid arteries reside anteriorly in the neck (carotid sheath) and the occipital artery is a branch of the external carotid that does not pass through this triangle.

The vertebral artery is the vessel found in the suboccipital triangle. This small posterior neck region is bounded by the rectus capitis posterior major and the two obliques, and its contents include the vertebral artery along with the dorsal ramus of C1 (suboccipital nerve). The vertebral artery travels from the subclavian artery, ascends through the transverse foramina of the cervical vertebrae, winds medially behind the atlas, and enters the foramen magnum to supply the brainstem and cerebellum. Because of this deep posterior course, it lies within the triangle, whereas the carotid arteries reside anteriorly in the neck (carotid sheath) and the occipital artery is a branch of the external carotid that does not pass through this triangle.