Lesser occipital nerve

Neck of the human with the minor occipitalis nerve ( Lesser occip. Nerve )

The lesser occipital nerve ( "smaller occipital nerve") is a nerve of the neck braid ( cervical plexus ). Like the rest of the nerves in this plexus, it has its origin in the first spinal nerves of the neck . In humans, it runs along the posterior edge of the sternocleidomastoid muscle to the occipital area and sensibly innervates it. This nerve does not occur in domestic animals.

Electrical stimulation of the major and minor occipital nerves ( occipital nerve stimulation ) is a method used to treat chronic migraines .