suboccipital nerve suboccipital nerve the suboccipital nerve (first cervical dorsal ramus) is the dorsal primary ramus of the first cervical nerve (c1). it exits the spinal cord between the skull and the first cervical vertebra, the atlas. suboccipital nervemedian sagittal section through the occipital bone and first three cervical vertebrae. (suboccipital nerve labeled at center right.)detailsinnervatesrectus capitis posterior major, rectus capitis posterior minor, obliquus capitis superior, obliquus capitis inferioridentifierslatinnervus suboccipitalista98a14.2.02.007ta26365fma7054anatomical terms of neuroanatomy not to be confused with lesser occipital nerve. it lies within the suboccipital triangle along with the vertebral artery, where the artery enters the foramen magnum. it supplies muscles of the suboccipital triangle, the rectus capitis posterior major, obliquus capitis superior, and obliquus capitis inferior. the suboccipital nerve also innervates rectus capitis posterior minor.