Cervical Plexus Mohammed Albaqer Mawash Mohammed Shafik A quick overview

The Cervical Plexus is formed by the anterior rami of cervical spinal nerves C1-C4. It innervates most of the neck muscles and provides sensory innervation to the anterior and lateral neck.

It is located in the posterior triangle of the neck

The cervical plexus gives rise to numerous branches which supply structures in the head and neck. They can broadly be divided into two groups muscular branches and sensory branches.

After arising from the cervical plexus, the muscular branches tend to travel initially in an anteromedial direction. This is in contrast to the cutaneous branches, which travel posteriorly.

Nerve to genohyoid muscle Nerve to Thyrohyoid muscle Phrenic nerve Ansa Cervicalis: Muscular branches o Nerve to omohyoid muscle (superior, and inferior bellies) o Nerve sternohyoid muscle o Nerve to sternothyroid muscle

Great Auricular nerve Lesser occipital nerve Transverse cervical nerve Supraclavicular nerves: Cutaneous branches o Medial o Intermediate o Lateral

A cervical plexus block is used to provide regional anaesthesia. The anaesthetist inserts the needle containing the local anaesthetic, midway up the posterior border of the sternocleidomastoid (the nerve point of the neck). Clinical relevance

Quick Recap

Nerve to genohyoid muscle Nerve to Thyrohyoid muscle Phrenic nerve Ansa Cervicalis: Muscular branches o Nerve to omohyoid muscle (superior, and inferior bellies) o Nerve sternohyoid muscle o Nerve to sternothyroid muscle

References Atlas of Human Anatomy, 7th Edition Gray's Atlas of Anatomy, 2nd Edition

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