Cervical Plexus

Anatomy of Cervical Plexus

1. Cervical Plexus V.S.Rashmi Priyem ULTRA’S BEST Dental Science College

2. Formation Formed by V entral R ami of the Upper F our C ervical N erves. The V entral R ami of C2–C4 divide into Upper and L ower Branches. The Ventral R amus of C1 and Branches of C2–C4 Ventral Rami are connected with One A nother to form Three Loops, hence Cervical P lexus is also called Plexus of Loops. The First L oop is directed Forwards in Front of the Transverse P rocess of Atlas and the Remaining T wo L oops are directed Backwards.

3. Position and R elations C ervical Plexus lies on L evator scapulae and S calenus medius Muscles. Cervical Plexus lies deep to P revertebral Fascia, Internal J ugular V ein and S ternocleidomastoid .

4. Branches C ervical P lexus supplies Skin, Muscles of the Neck, and T horacoabdominal Diaphragm. B ranches are arranged into Superficial and Deep G roups.

5. Superficial ( Cutaneous ) Branches 1 . Lesser Occipital Nerve (C2 ) 2 . Great Auricular Nerve (C2, C3 ) 3 . Transverse (Anterior ) Cervical Nerve (C2, C3 ) 4 . Supraclavicular Nerve (C3, C4 )

6. Deep Branches - Communicating Branches (a) Grey Rami C ommunicantes from Superior C ervical S ympathetic G anglion to all the 4 Roots (b) A Branch of C1 joins the Hypoglossal Nerve (c) A Branch from C2 to S ternocleidomastoid and Branches from C3–C4 to T rapezius communicate with Spinal A ccessory Nerve

7. Deep Branches - Muscular Branches The Following Muscles are supplied by Cervical Plexus : ( a) Rectus capitis anterior (C1 ) ( b) Rectus capitis lateralis (C1, C2 ) ( c) Longus capitis (C1–C3 ) ( d) Longus colli (C2–C4 ) ( e) Strap Muscles (C1–C3 ) ( f) Sternocleidomastoid (C2 ) ( g) Trapezius (C3, C4 ) ( h) Levator scapulae (C3, C4 ) ( i ) Scalene Muscles (C3, C4 ) ( j) Diaphragm (C3, C4)