Cervical Plexus
Original Editor - Evan Thomas
Lead Editors - Evan Thomas, Laura Ritchie, Kim Jackson, Mohit Chand, WikiSysop and Leana Louw
Description
The cervical plexus consists of deep and superficial branches.The superficial branches provide sensation to the skin and the deep branches are mostly motor in nature. The communication of the anterior divisions of the upper four cervical nerves (C1-C4) forms the cervical plexus. [1]
Location/Path
It lies under the sternocleidomastoid (SCM) muscle, opposite the upper four cervical vertebrae. It rests upon the levator anguli scapulae and scalenus medius muscles, and emerges from the posterior border of the SCM.[1]
Branches and Supplied Structures
Its branches consist of a superficial and deep set. The superficial branches are the great auricular nerve, lesser occipital nerve, transverse cervical, suprasternal, and supraclavicular nerves. The deep branches are the phrenic, communicantes cervicalis, communicating, and muscular.[1]
- Ansa Cervicalis (C1-3)[3]
- Superior (C1-2) & inferior (C2-3) roots form loop
- Sensory: None
- Motor: Omohyoid, sternohyoid, sternothyroid
- Lesser Occipital Nerve (C2-3)[3]
- Arises from the posterior border of SCM
- Sensory: Superior region behind auricle
- Motor: None
- Great Auricular Nerve (C2-3)[3]
- Exits inferior to lesser occipital nerve, ascends on SCM
- Sensory: Over parotid gland and behind ear
- Motor: None
- Transverse Cervical Nerve (C2-3)[3]
- Exits inferior to greater auricular nerve, than to anterior neck
- Sensory: Anterior triangle of the neck
- Motor: None
- Supraclavicular (C2-3)[3]
- Splits into 3 branches: anterior, middle, posterior
- Sensory: Over clavicle, outer trapezius and deltoid
- Motor: None
- Phrenic Nerve (C3-5)[3]
- On anterior scalene, into thorax between subclavian artery and vein
- Sensory: Pericardium and mediastinal pleura
- Motor: Diaphragm
Diagram
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Jarvis, Rajan, R. S., & Roberts, A. (2022). The cervical plexus. BJA Education, 23(2), 46–51. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bjae.2022.11.008 Last assessed: 15/12/2024
- ↑ fatcat2983472. Cervical Plexus Drawing SO GOOD!!!. Available from: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oj9J9b8FIIg [last accessed 12/02/16]
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 Thompson JC (2010). Netter's Concise Orthopaedic Anatomy (2nd ed). Philadelphia, PA: Saunders Elsevier.
- ↑ Kiara Rivera. Cervical Plexus Drawing and Spinal Segments - EASY. Available from: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Nz8-bnZGBI [last accessed 12/02/16]