[Transversus nuchae muscle: two observations of hitherto unknown deviations of its nerve supply (author's transl)]

The transversus nuchae muscles were dissected at a male specimen of 81 years on both sides and also the different nerve supply were investigated precisely. On the right side we found a muscle with 2 bellies 125 mm in length and 2 mm in width. The fibers extended from the external occipital protuberance to the parotid fascia. The right muscle was supplied by the doubled parts of the anterior branches of the great auricular nerve with an anastomosis to the inferior buccal branch of the facial nerve. The left transversus nuchae muscle occured with a total length of 93 mm and also a width of 2 mm. Course and attachment proved the same as on the right side. The left muscle was supplied by a short part of an anastomosis between the posterior branch of the great auricular nerve and the occipital branch of the posterior auricular nerve of the facial nerve. The investigated, hitherto unknown, nerve anastomoses had not been stated in the anatomical literature since yet.