Ansa cervicalis
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At the time the article was created Shi Hong Shen had no recorded disclosures.
View Shi Hong Shen's current disclosuresAt the time the article was last revised Yvette Mellam had no financial relationships to ineligible companies to disclose.
View Yvette Mellam's current disclosures- Ansa hypoglossi
The ansa cervicalis (or ansa hypoglossi, an archaic synonym) is a component of the cervical plexus which gives muscular branches to the geniohyoid muscle of the suprahyoid group and most of the infrahyoid (strap) muscles (excluding the thyrohyoid muscle).
It lies within the carotid triangle, superficial to the carotid sheath.
On this page:
Gross anatomy
Roots
superior root: derived from the anterior primary rami of C1
inferior root: derived from the anterior primary rami of C2 and C3
Course
-
superior root
passes with the hypoglossal nerve between rectus capitis anterior and rectus capitis lateralis muscles
leaves the hypoglossal nerve lateral to the occipital artery
runs with the common carotid artery to join the inferior root
-
inferior root
pierces the prevertebral fascia at the level of C2/3
passes around the internal jugular vein
runs anteriorly to meet with the superior root anterior to the common carotid artery
Branches
branch to geniohyoid
-
branches to infrahyoid (strap) muscles
branch to omohyoid
branch to sternohyoid
branch to sternothyroid
Note: the thyrohyoid muscle is innervated by the ventral ramus of C1 via the hypoglossal nerve rather than via the ansa cervicalis.
Variants
History and etymology
Ansa cervicalis is Latin for handle of the neck. It comes from the loop shape of the structure, which resembles a handle.
References
- 1. McMINN. Lasts Anatomy Regional and Applied. CHURCHILL LIVINGSTONE. (2003) ISBN:B0084AQDG8. Read it at Google Books - Find it at Amazon
- 2. Moore KL, Agur AMR, Dalley AF. Clinically oriented anatomy. LWW. ISBN:1451119453. Read it at Google Books - Find it at Amazon
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