Cervical Plexus

Description

Illustration of the cervical plexus

Illustration of cervical and brachial plexus relationship

Cutaneous innervation of the head and neck

Name

• Cervical Plexus
• Anterior Cervical Plexus
• Cervical Nerve Plexus

General

• Network of fibers that supply innervation to some of the structures of the neck/trunk
• Located in the posterior triangle of the neck, halfway up the sternocleidomastoid muscle
• Located embedded within the prevertebral layer of cervical fascia

Spinal Nerves

• Formed from the anterior rami of spinal nerves C1-C4/C5 (some variability depending on source)

Muscular Branches

• Phrenic Nerve: innervates diaphragm
• Nerve to Geniohyoid: innervates Geniohyoid
• Nerve to Thyrohyoid: innervates Thyrohyoid
• Ansa Cervicalis: Innervates Omohyoid, Sternohyoid, Sternothyroid
• C1-C2: Rectus Capitis Anterior, Rectus Capitis Lateralis
• C1-C3: Longus Capitis, Longus Colli
• C2-C3: Contributions to prevertebral muscles, Sternocleidomastoid
• C3-C4: Contributions to Levator Scapulae, Trapezius
• Other: Middle Scalene, Anterior Scalene

Sensory Branches

• Greater Auricular Nerve: sensation to the external ear, skin over parotid gland
• Transverse Cervical Nerve: sensation to the anterior neck, upper sternum
• Lesser Occipital Nerve: posterosuperior scalp
• Supraclavicular Nerve: skin over the supraclavicular fossa

---

Clinical Significance

• Cervical Plexus Block

---

See Also

• Nerve Anatomy Main
• Neck Anatomy Main
• Physical Exam Neck
• Neck Pain Main

---