# Occipital triangle

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> Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Occipital_triangle.md
> Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Occipital_triangle
> Source revision: 1314610523
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{{Short description|Anatomical region of the neck}}
{{Infobox anatomy
| Name        = Occipital triangle
| Latin       = trigonum occipitale
| Image       = Musculi coli base, my edits for tringles, Occipital triangles.svg
| Caption     = Occipital triangle
| Image2      = Gray1210.png
| Caption2    = Side of neck, showing chief surface markings. (Nerves are yellow, arteries are red.)
| System      =
}}
The '''occipital triangle''', the larger division of the posterior triangle, is bounded, in front, by the [Sternocleidomastoideus](/source/Sternocleidomastoideus); behind, by the [Trapezius](/source/Trapezius); below, by the [Omohyoideus](/source/Omohyoideus).

Its floor is formed from above downward by the [Splenius capitis](/source/Splenius_capitis), [Levator scapulæ](/source/Levator_scapul%C3%A6), and the [Scalenus medius](/source/Scalenus_medius) and posterior.

It is covered by the skin, the superficial and deep fasciæ, and by the [Platysma](/source/Platysma) below.

The [accessory nerve](/source/accessory_nerve) is directed obliquely across the space from the [Sternocleidomastoideus](/source/Sternocleidomastoideus), which it pierces, to the under surface of the [Trapezius](/source/Trapezius); below, the [supraclavicular nerves](/source/supraclavicular_nerves) and the [transverse cervical vessels](/source/transverse_cervical_vessels) and the upper part of the [brachial plexus](/source/brachial_plexus) cross the space.

The roof of this triangle is formed by the cutaneous nerves of cervical plexus and the external jugular vein and platysma muscle.

A chain of [lymph glands](/source/lymph_glands) is also found running along the posterior border of the [Sternocleidomastoideus](/source/Sternocleidomastoideus), from the mastoid process to the root of the [neck](/source/neck).

== Gallery ==
<gallery>
 File:Gray386.png|Muscles of the neck. Anterior view.
</gallery>

==See also==
* [Posterior triangle of the neck](/source/Posterior_triangle_of_the_neck)

== References ==
{{Gray's}}
{{reflist}}

== External links ==
* {{NormanAnatomy|lesson6}}

{{Superficial anatomy}}

Category:Human head and neck
Category:Triangles of the neck

{{Portal bar|Anatomy}}

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Occipital triangle](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Occipital_triangle) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Occipital_triangle?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.