cervical plexus

Question 1

What forms the cervical plexus?

Answer 1

anterior primary rami of spinal nerves C1 - C4 whose roots form seris of communicating loops

Question 2

Inferior vagal ganglion associates with which Cord level?

Answer 2

fibers from inferior vagal ganglion communicate with C1 and C2 loops

Question 3

spinal accessory nerve associates with what cord level?

Answer 3

Fibers from spinal accessory nerve carry proprioceptive information and communicate with loops formed by C2 and C3, also C3 and C4 (SCM C2, Trap. C3 and C4)

Question 4

the hypoglossal nerve associates with which cord levels?

Answer 4

Hypoglossal nerve communicates with C1 which later seperates from the hypoglossal and forms the superior root of the ansa cervicalis. some C1 fibers continue with the hypoglossal to innervate thyrohyoid, and geniohyoid muscles

Question 5

does the cervical plexus communicate with the superior cervical ganglion?

Answer 5

yes. three grey rami communicans carry postganglionic sympathetic fibers (vasomotor, sudomotor, and pilomotor) to the loop between C1 and C2 and the roots of C3 and C4

Question 6

how many superficial branches of the cervical plexus are there?

Answer 6

7, lesser occipital nerve, great auricular nerve, transverse cutaneous nerve of the neck, and medial intermediate and lateral supraclavicular nerves

Question 7

lesser occipital nerve

Answer 7

carries fibers from C2 and occasionally C3 to supply skin on the superior 1/3 of the auricle and skin behind the ear.

Question 8

Which nerve may be implicated in in cases of cervicogenic headache?

Answer 8

lesser occipital nerve

Question 9

great auricular nerve

Answer 9

carries fibers from C2 and C3 and enters the parotid gland where it divides into anterior and posterior branches
anterior - combines with the facial nerve to supply skin over parotid gland
posterior - supplies skin over the mastoid process

Question 10

transverse cutaneous nerve of the neck

Answer 10

carries fibers from C2 and C3 and divides into ascending and descending branches that supply skin over the platysma muscle

Question 11

medial supraclavicular

Answer 11

C3 and C4, supplies skin medial to the sternal end of the clavicle as far as the second rib

Question 12

intermediate supraclavicular

Answer 12

C3, and C4, supplies skin over the deltoid and pectoralis major as far as the second rib

Question 13

lateral supraclavicular nerve

Answer 13

C3 and C4, supplies skin over the superior and lateral aspect of the shoulder

Question 14

branches from what cord level combine to form the inferior root of the ansa cervicalis?

Answer 14

C2 and C3

Question 15

Ansa cervicalis supplies which muscles?

Answer 15

sternohyoid
sternothyroid
and both bellies of the omohyoid

Question 16

what cord levels contribute fibers to the phrenic nerve?

Answer 16

C3, C4 (most), and C5

Question 17

Phrenic nerve

Answer 17

supplies the diaphram
recieves postganglionic sympathetic fibers from cervical ganglia
descends throught the neck anterior to the anterior scalene muscle

Question 18

What are some clinical concerns for the phrenic nerve?

Answer 18

subluxation and spinal cord injuries to C3 C4 or C5 possibly preventing nerve impulse to the diaphram resulting in a inability to respirate