Cervical plexus
Learning objectives:
This is study unit will enable you to:
- Understand the complex anatomy of the cervical plexus.
- List all of the nerves arising from this plexus.
- Name the structures supplied by these nerves.
Watch video
The cervical plexus is a nervous plexus formed by the anterior rami of the first four spinal nerves (C1-C4). It is located in the upper cervical region, deep to the sternocleidomastoid muscle and anterolateral to the levator scapulae and middle scalene muscles.
The plexus consists of two main groups of nerve branches: muscular (deep) branches and cutaneous (superficial) branches. The muscular branches of the cervical plexus are located deep to the sensory branches. They supply some of the muscles of the neck, back and diaphragm. The cutaneous branches of the cervical plexus supply the skin of the neck, upper thorax, scalp and ear.
The cervical plexus also provides contributions to the accessory and hypoglossal nerves (CN XI/XII), in addition to receiving fibers from the sympathetic trunk (via the superior cervical ganglion).
To learn more about the anatomy of the cervical plexus you can watch the video below.
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:watermark(/images/watermark_only.png,0,0,0):watermark(/images/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/anatomy_term/anterior-rami-of-spinal-nerves-c1c4/AufGEVpkiP5Ul8vZd9GL3Q_Untitled.002.jpeg "Anterior rami of spinal nerves C1-C4 (Rami anteriores nervorum spinalium C1-C4); Image: Begoña Rodriguez"){kind=logo}
:watermark(/images/watermark_only.png,0,0,0):watermark(/images/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/anatomy_term/posterior-rami-of-spinal-nerves-c1c4/OluyH7NU2nMpkcXTZgSJg_Untitled.001.jpeg "Posterior rami of spinal nerves C1-C4 (Rami posteriores nervorum spinalium C1-C4); Image: Begoña Rodriguez"){kind=logo}
:watermark(/images/watermark_only.png,0,0,0):watermark(/images/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/anatomy_term/nervus-hypoglossus-5/ZcCP6CWRzOZRxqWMfWIQ_Hypoglossal_nerve.png "Hypoglossal nerve (Nervus hypoglossus); Image: Begoña Rodriguez"){kind=logo}
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:watermark(/images/watermark_only.png,0,0,0):watermark(/images/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/anatomy_term/ansa-cervicalis-2/dr48EAOEovmtDqgdLcAoQ_Ansa_cervicalis.png "Ansa cervicalis; Image: Begoña Rodriguez"){kind=logo}
:watermark(/images/watermark_only.png,0,0,0):watermark(/images/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/anatomy_term/superior-omohyoid-branch-of-ansa-cervicalis/pUsqH0kdeIXRhHnifx4vg_Branch_to_superior_belly_of_omohyoid_muscle.png "Superior omohyoid branch of ansa cervicalis (Ramus omohyoideus superior ansae cervicalis); Image: Begoña Rodriguez"){kind=logo}
:watermark(/images/watermark_only.png,0,0,0):watermark(/images/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/anatomy_term/sternothyroid-branch-of-ansa-cervicalis/fF10wflZXqmus6skt68yg_branch_to_sternothyroid.png "Sternothyroid branch of ansa cervicalis (Ramus sternothyroideus ansae cervicalis); Image: Begoña Rodriguez"){kind=logo}
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:watermark(/images/watermark_only.png,0,0,0):watermark(/images/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/anatomy_term/muscular-branches-of-cervical-plexus-rectus-capitis-lateralis-longus-capitis-and-rectus-capitis-anterior-muscles/2Aj7T72A86G0O5gAqVnnA_Branches_to_rectus_capitis_lateralis__longus_capitis__and_rectus_capitis_anterior_muscles.png "Muscular branches of cervical plexus (rectus capitis lateralis, longus capitis, and rectus capitis anterior muscles) (Rami musculares plexus cervicalis (musculus rectus capitis lateralis, musculus longus capitis, musculus rectus capitis anterior)); Image: Begoña Rodriguez"){kind=logo}
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:watermark(/images/watermark_only.png,0,0,0):watermark(/images/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/anatomy_term/muscular-branches-of-cervical-plexus-scalene-and-levator-scapulae-muscles/EFdYmQu3YMtGixvgpiBoyw_Muscular_branches_of_cervical_plexus__scalene_and_levator_scapulae_muscles_.png "Muscular branches of cervical plexus (scalene and levator scapulae muscles) (Rami musculares plexus cervicalis (musculi scaleni, musculus levator scapulae)); Image: Begoña Rodriguez"){kind=logo}
:watermark(/images/watermark_only.png,0,0,0):watermark(/images/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/anatomy_term/nervus-occipitalis-minor-3/uKtDaZRme2n3c4ZZujHYAg_Lesser_occipital_nerve.png "Lesser occipital nerve (Nervus occipitalis minor); Image: Begoña Rodriguez"){kind=logo}
:watermark(/images/watermark_only.png,0,0,0):watermark(/images/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/anatomy_term/nervus-auricularis-magnus-3/zkola6Ch1m7dHapo7ti1A_Great_auricular_nerve.png "Great auricular nerve (Nervus auricularis magnus); Image: Begoña Rodriguez"){kind=logo}
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:watermark(/images/watermark_only.png,0,0,0):watermark(/images/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/anatomy_term/sternocleidomastoid-branch-of-cervical-plexus/LwPczq4kCh5FJXBnnYrTPg_Branch_to_sternocleidomastoid.png "Sternocleidomastoid branch of cervical plexus (Ramus sternocleidomastoideus plexus cervicalis); Image: Begoña Rodriguez"){kind=logo}
:watermark(/images/watermark_only.png,0,0,0):watermark(/images/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/anatomy_term/ramus-trapezius-nervi-accessorii/69pU4Ee1wder7UdbHGmcw_branch_to_trapezius.png "Trapezius branch of cervical plexus (Ramus trapezius plexus cervicalis); Image: Begoña Rodriguez"){kind=logo}
:watermark(/images/watermark_only.png,0,0,0):watermark(/images/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/anatomy_term/nervi-supraclaviculares-2/l7RIo6pfsQUEhAri2VhudA_Supraclavicular_nerve.png "Supraclavicular nerves (Nervi supraclaviculares); Image: Begoña Rodriguez"){kind=logo}
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Summary
| Definition | Nervous plexus formed by the anterior rami of the spinal nerves C1-C4. |
| Deep/muscular branches |
Spinal nerve C1 (via hypoglossal nerve): Thyrohyoid and geniohyoid muscles Ansa cervicalis (C1-C3): Other infrahyoid muscles (omohyoid, sternohyoid and sternothyroid muscles) Phrenic nerve (C3-C5): Diaphragm (+ sensory innervation of the central tendon of the diaphragm and pericardium) Segmental/muscular branches: Rectus capitis anterior, rectus capitis lateralis, longus colli, longus capitis muscles |
| Superficial/cutaneous branches |
Lesser occipital nerve (C2): Skin of the neck and scalp posterior to the auricle of the ear Great auricular nerve (C2-C3): Skin over the parotid gland, posterior to the auricle and the mastoid area Transverse cervical nerve (C2-C3): Anterior and lateral parts of the neck Supraclavicular nerves (C3-C4): Shoulder and clavicular regions |
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