Cervical Plexus

Question 1

What does the Cervical Plexus innervate?

Answer 1

Some structures of the head and neck

Question 2

How many branches are there?

The type?

Answer 2

3 Motor Branches

4 Sensory Branches

Question 3

What are the Motor branches of the cervical plexus?

Answer 3

The Phrenic Nerve
Nerve to Geniohyoid and Thyrohyoid
Ansa Cervicalis

Question 4

Describe the Phrenic Nerve:
Roots
Innervation
Course

Answer 4

C3,4,5
Diaphragm
Travels along the anterior scalene muscle then goes anterior to the lungs

Question 5

Describe the Nerve to G and T:
Roots
Innervation
Course

Answer 5

From C1
Geniohyoid- moves hyoid bone anterior and allows the airway to expand
Thyrohyoid- depresses the hyoid, elevates the larynx
Travels with Hypoglossal Nerve

Question 6

Describe the Ansa Cervicalis:
Roots
Innervation
Course

Answer 6

Loop of nerves from C1-3
Supply infrahyoid muscles - depress the hyoid bone and allow speech/swallowing
Supplies: 
superior/inferior belly of omahyoid, 
sternothyroid, 
sternohyoid

Question 7

What are the Sensory Branches of the Cervical Plexus?

Answer 7

Transverse Cervical
Lesser Occipital
Greater Auricular
Supraclavicular

Question 8

Describe the Lesser Occipital Nerve:
Roots
Supplies Sensation to…
Course

Answer 8

C2
Posterosuperior Scalp (a bit above ear and behind, to around mid-neck)
Curves around the Accessory muscle and passes closely and superiorly to the SCM

Question 9

Describe the Transverse Cervical Nerve:
Roots
Innervation
Course

Answer 9

C2 and 3
Supplies Anterior Neck (curves around posterior SCM)
Supplies Anterolateral Neck/Upper Sternum (pierces deep cervical fascia)

Question 10

Describe the Greater Auricular Nerve:
Roots
Innervation
Course

Answer 10

C2 and 3
Supplies External Ear and Skin over the Parotid Gland

Large Branch
Communicates with Vagus and Post. Auricular Nerve (Facial)

Question 11

Describe the Supraclavicular Nerve:
Roots
Innervation
Course

Answer 11

C3 and 4
Sternoclavicular Joint
Suprascapular Fossa
Upper Thoracic Region

Question 12

Where do you do a Cervical Plexus Block?

Why here?

Answer 12

Erb’s Point
Posterior border of SCM
As that is where the sensory cutaneous nerves come into the skin

Question 13

Why do you do a Cervical Plexus Block?

Answer 13

Surgeries
Regional Anaesthetic
Lymph Node Removal
Carotid Endarterectomy 
Thyroidectomy

Question 14

What do you need to be careful of with a CP Block?

Answer 14

It also affects the Phrenic Nerve

Don’t use on people with Cardiac or Resp. Diseases