Ansa Cervicalis

Description

Illustration of the cervical plexus

Superior root of the ansa cervicalis (AC) located below the posterior belly of the digastric muscle

Name

• Ansa Cervicalis
• Ansa Hypoglossi
• Cervical ansa
• Loop of the cervical plexus
• Cervical nerve loop

General

• Nerve loop which originates in the cervical plexus and innervates 3/4 of the infrahyoid neck muscles
• Typically located on the anterolateral aspect of the carotid sheath, deep to sternocleidomastoid

Etymology

• Ansa is latin for handle of the cup
• In anatomy, ansa means any loop-shaped structure

Gross Anatomy

• Formed by
  • Superior roots of anterior ramus of C1 and C2
  • Inferior root of anterior ramus of C2 and C3
• Has a close anatomical relationship with the hypoglossal nerve (CN XII)

Motor Innervation

• Omohyoid
• Sternohyoid
• Sternothyroid

Sensory Innervation

• Ansa cervicalis has no sensory innervation

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Clinical Significance

• Innervation of Infrahyoid Muscles
• Neck Surgery Landmark
• Nerve Transfer for Vocal Cord Paralysis

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See Also

• Nerve Anatomy Main

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