The dorsal ramus of C2 is commonly known as which nerve?

• A. Lesser occipital nerve
• B. Greater occipital nerve
• C. Suprascapular nerve
• D. Greater auricular nerve

Answer: (B)

The dorsal ramus of the second cervical spinal nerve is the greater occipital nerve. The dorsal rami carry sensory and motor fibers to the deep back muscles and the skin of the back; the greater occipital nerve is the main cutaneous branch that arises from this dorsal ramus and supplies sensation to the posterior scalp up to the vertex. It typically ascends to the scalp after piercing the muscles in the posterior neck region.

In contrast, the lesser occipital nerve comes from the ventral rami (C2–C3) and supplies the lateral part of the posterior scalp behind the ear; the suprascapular nerve originates from the upper trunk (C5–C6) and innervates shoulder muscles; the greater auricular nerve also comes from the ventral rami (C2–C3) and supplies the ear and parotid region.