The dorsal ramus of C2 is commonly referred to as which nerve, among these options?

• A. Lesser occipital nerve
• B. Greater occipital nerve
• C. Suprascapular nerve
• D. Transverse cervical nerve

Answer: (B)

The dorsal ramus of the second cervical nerve is named the greater occipital nerve because it is the main sensory nerve supplying the back part of the scalp. It arises directly from the dorsal ramus of C2 and ascends to innervate the occipital region, typically traveling to the scalp after giving off small neck branches. The other nerves listed come from different roots or plexuses: the lesser occipital nerve mainly comes from C2–C3 dorsal rami and supplies the lateral occipital area near the ear; the suprascapular nerve arises from the upper trunk (C5–C6) and serves the shoulder region; the transverse cervical nerve comes from the ventral rami of the cervical plexus and supplies the anterior neck.