Exam 2: Unit V: Cervical Plexus Flashcards
What forms the cervical plexus?
anterior (primary) rami of C1-C4 spinal nerves
What do the nerve roots making up the cervical plexus form?
a series of communicating loops
What CN communicates with the loop formed by C1 and C2?
fibers from inferior (nodose) vagal ganglion
What CN communicates with the loop formed by C2 and C3, and with C3 and C4? What info does it carry?
spinal root of accessory nerve; carries proprioceptive info
How does the spinal root of the accessory nerve communicate with the cervical plexus?
carries proprioceptive info:
- from SCM to C2 and C3
- from trapezius to C3 and C4
How does the Hypoglossal nerve communicated with the cervical plexus?
communicates with C1 fibers
When the C1 fibers communicating with the Hypoglossal nerve separate from it, what do they become? What about the C1 fibers that stay with the hypoglossal nerve?
separate–> superior root of the ansa cervicalis
stay with –> supply thyrohyoid and geniohyoid
What CNs communicate with the cervical plexus?
(X, XI, XII)
- Vagus –inf. ganglion (C1 and C2)
- Accessory Nerve (C2/C3 and C3/C4)
- Hypoglossal nerve (C1)
What type of communicans from the superior cervical ganglion are ass. with the cervical plexus? What type of fibers does it carry? What part of the cervical plexus does it communicate with?
gray rami communicans carrying postganglionic sympathetic fibers
loop b/w C1 and C2 and roots of C3 and C4
What are the 6 superficial branches of the cervical plexus?
- Lesser Occipital Nerve (C2, ~C3)
- Great auricular Nerve (C2, C3)
- Transverse Cutaneous nerve of the neck (C2, C3)
Trunks of C3 and C4 combine and form: - Medial Supraclavicular nerve (C3,C4)
- Intermediate supraclavicular nerve (C3,C4)
- Lateral supraclavicular nerve (C3,C4)
What does the cervical plexus all communicate with?
- CN X, XI, XII
- Sympathetic trunk (Superior Cervical Ganglion) –> Gray communicans
What nerve may be implicated in cases of cervicogenic headaches?
Lesser occipital nerve
What cervical fibers does the lesser occipital nerve carry?
C2 (sometimes C3)
What nerve supplies the skin on the superior 1/3 of the auricle as well as the skin behind the ear?
lesser occipital nerve
What two other nerves does the lesser occipital nerve have communications with?
greater occipital nerve and great auricular nerve
What cervical fibers does the Great auricular nerve carry?
C 2 and C3