Cervical ventral rami (cervical plexus nn fcn)

Question 1

Lesser occipital n. (C2)

Answer 1

Cutaneous branches

function- sensory & postganglionic sympathetic [gray ramus] innervation of the skin overlying the posterior-lateral aspect of the head and upper neck

Question 2

Great auricular n. (C2,3)

Answer 2

Cutaneous branches

function- sensory & postganglionic sympathetic [gray rami communicans] innervation of the skin overlying the upper SCM, lower parotid region and ear

Question 3

Transverse cervical n. (C2,3)

Answer 3

Cutaneous branches

function- sensory & postganglionic sympathetic [gray rami communicans] innervation of the skin overlying the lower SCM and anterior neck

Question 4

Supraclavicular n. (C3,4)

Answer 4

Cutaneous branches

function- sensory & postganglionic sympathetic [gray rami communicans] innervation of the skin overlying the lower half of the posterior triangle of the neck

Question 5

Nerve to the geniohyoid m. (C1)

Answer 5

Muscular branches

function- sensory, postganglionic sympathetic [gray ramus] and motor innervation of the geniohyoid muscle

Question 6

Nerve to the thyrohyoid m. (C1)

Answer 6

Muscular branches

function- sensory, postganglionic sympathetic [gray ramus] and motor innervation of the thyrohyoid muscle

Question 7

Superior root of the ansa cervicalis (C1) [L. loop, handle]

Answer 7

Muscular branches

function- sensory, postganglionic sympathetic [gray ramus] and motor innervation of the superior belly of the omohyoid muscle

Question 8

Inferior root of the ansa cervicalis (C2,3)

Answer 8

Muscular branches

function- sensory, postganglionic sympathetic [gray rami communicans] and motor innervation of the sternohyoid, sternothyroid and inferior belly of the omohyoid muscles

Question 9

Phrenic n. (C3-5)

Answer 9

Muscular branches

function- sensory, postganglionic sympathetic [gray rami communicans] and motor innervation of the diaphragm (other functions are listed above in Thorax section)

Question 10

Misc. muscular branches

Answer 10

Muscular branches

function- sensory, postganglionic sympathetic [gray rami communicans] & motor innervation of the longus capitis, longus coli, & anterior, middle & posterior scalene muscles

Question 11

Proprioceptive branches to trapezius m.

Answer 11

Sensory (non-cutaneous) branches

function- sensory & postganglionic sympathetic [gray rami communicans] innervation of the trapezius muscle

Question 12

Proprioceptive branches to the SCM m.

Answer 12

Sensory (non-cutaneous) branches

function- sensory & postganglionic sympathetic [gray rami communicans] innervation of the SCM muscle