Cervical plexus
Last revised by Fabio Macori
on 28 Mar 2022
Citation, DOI, disclosures and article data
Citation:
Shen S, Macori F, Liu J, et al. Cervical plexus. Reference article, Radiopaedia.org (Accessed on 08 Jan 2025) https://doi.org/10.53347/rID-30693
Permalink:
rID:
30693
Article created:
28 Aug 2014,
Shi Hong Shen
Disclosures:
At the time the article was created Shi Hong Shen had no recorded disclosures.
View Shi Hong Shen's current disclosures
Last revised:
28 Mar 2022,
Fabio Macori
Disclosures:
At the time the article was last revised Fabio Macori had no recorded disclosures.
View Fabio Macori's current disclosures
Revisions:
12 times, by
6 contributors -
see full revision history and disclosures
Systems:
Sections:
The cervical plexus is formed by the ventral (anterior) rami of the C1 to C5 nerve roots and innervates the diaphragm, provides motor supply to some neck muscles and cutaneous sensation to the skin of the head, neck, and chest.
Gross anatomy
Roots
- anterior rami of C1 to C5 nerves
Course
- runs in series with the brachial plexus on scalenus medius under the prevertebral fascia and the upper part of the sternocleidomastoid
- all cutaneous branches of the cervical plexus converge and become superficial at the punctum nervosum, also known as Erb's point, at the halfway point of the posterior border of the sternocleidomastoid muscle
Branches
- muscular
- longus capitis
- longus colli
- scalenes
- geniohyoid
- thyrohyoid
-
ansa cervicalis
- omohyoid (superior and inferior bellies separately)
- sternothyroid
- sternohyoid
- phrenic nerve: C3, 4, 5
- contribution to the accessory nerve (CN XI)
- cutaneous
- lesser occipital nerve: C2
- greater auricular nerve: C2, 3
- transverse cervical nerve: C2, 3
- supraclavicular nerve: C3, 4
References
- 1. DSc SSP. Gray's Anatomy. Churchill Livingstone. (2011) ISBN:0443066841. 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
- 3. Last's anatomy, regional and applied. Churchill Livingstone. ISBN:044304662X. Read it at Google Books - Find it at Amazon
Incoming Links
Articles:
- Ansa cervicalis
- Occipital triangle
- Hypoglossal nerve
- Longus colli muscle
- Geniohyoid muscle
- Transverse cervical nerve
- Phrenic nerve
- Scalenus medius muscle
- Carotid triangle
- Lesser occipital nerve
- Sternothyroid muscle
- Splenius cervicis muscle
- Thyrohyoid muscle
- Omohyoid muscle
- Breast
- Scalenus posterior muscle
- Accessory nerve
- External ear
- Splenius capitis muscle
- Scalp
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cranial vault
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sutures
- calvarial
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deep spaces of the neck[+][+]
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arterial supply
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common carotid artery
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arterial supply
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cranial nerves[+][+]
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cervical plexus
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- longus colli
- scalenes[+][+]
- geniohyoid
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-
ansa cervicalis[+][+]
- omohyoid (superior and inferior bellies separately)
- sternothyroid
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- contribution to the accessory nerve (CN XI)
- cutaneous branches
- muscular branches
- brachial plexus
- pharyngeal plexus
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cranial nerves[+][+]
- lymphatic drainage of the head and neck[+][+]
- embryological development of the head and neck[+][+]