Nerves in the Neck

Question 1

What nerves are found in the Posterior Triangle of the Neck?

This is a thorough list

Answer 1

Spinal Accessory (CN XI)
Cervical Plexus (C1-C4)
- Superficial branches (all sensory)
  - Ascending
     - Lesser occipital n. (C2, C3)
     - Great auricular n. (C2, C3)
     - Transverse cervical n. (C2, C3)
   - Descending
     - Supraclavicular n. (C3, C4)
Brachial Plexus (C5-T1)

Question 2

What nerves are found in the Anterior Triangle of the Neck?

This is a thorough list

Answer 2

CN IX, X, XII
Sympathetic Chain
Cervical Plexus (C1-C4)
- Deep branches (all motor)
- C1 (which hitchhikes on CN XI - Hypoglossal)
- Geniohyoid nerve (C1)
- Thyrohyoid nerve (C1)
- Ansa Cervicalis
- Superior root
- Superior belly of Omohyoid (C1)
- Inferior root
- Sternothyroid (C1, C2, C3)
- Sternohyoid (C1, C2, C3)
- Inferior belly of Omohyoid (C2, C3)
- Deep branches not associated w/ Ansa Cervicalis
- Rectus capitis longus (C1, C2)
- Rectus capitis anterior (C1, C2)
- Middle scalene (C3, C4)
- Phrenic and Levator Scapulae (C3, C4, C5)
- Longus capitis (C1 - C4)
- Longus coli (C2 - C8)

Question 3

In the cervical plexus, what function do the Superficial branches have and in which triangle are they found?

Answer 3

Superficial branches

• Sensory function
• Posterior triangle

Question 4

In the cervical plexus, what function do the Deep branches have and in which triangle are they found?

Answer 4

Deep branches

• Motor function
• Anterior triangle

Question 5

What are the superficial branches of the cervical plexus?

Answer 5

Superficial branches (all sensory)

• Ascending
  
  • Lesser occipital n. (C2, C3)
  • Great auricular n. (C2, C3)
  • Transverse cervical n. (C2, C3)
• Descending
  
  • Supraclavicular n. (C3, C4)

Question 6

What are the deep branches of the cervical plexus?

Answer 6

Deep branches (all motor)

• C1 (which hitchhikes on CN XI - Hypoglossal)
  
  • Geniohyoid nerve (C1)
  • Thyrohyoid nerve (C1)
• Ansa Cervicalis
  
  • Superior root
    
    • Superior belly of Omohyoid (C1)
  • Inferior root
    
    • Sternothyroid (C1, C2, C3)
    • Sternohyoid (C1, C2, C3)
    • Inferior belly of Omohyoid (C2, C3)
• Deep branches not associated w/ Ansa Cervicalis
  - Rectus capitis longus (C1, C2)
  - Rectus capitis anterior (C1, C2)
  - Middle scalene (C3, C4)
  - Phrenic and Levator Scapulae (C3, C4, C5)
  - Longus capitis (C1 - C4)
  - Longus coli (C2 - C8)

Question 7

In what triangles/regions of the neck is the Vagus nerve (CN X) located?

Answer 7

Vagus nerve

• Anterior triangle, root of neck
• Travels through submandibular and carotid triangles

Question 8

What are the nerve branches of the Vagus nerve (CN X)

Answer 8

Pharyngeal (to pharyngeal plexus)
Superior laryngeal n.
- Internal laryngeal (general sensory to larynx)
- External laryngeal (branchial motor to cricothyroid)
Recurrent laryngeal n.
- Left side (loops under arch of aorta and ascends to larynx)
- Right side (loops under subclavian a. and ascends to larynx)

Question 9

In what triangles/regions of the neck is the Glossopharyngeal nerve (CN IX) located?

Answer 9

Glossopharyngeal nerve (CN IX)

• Anterior triangle
• Travels through submandibular and carotid triangles

Question 10

What are the nerve branches of the Glossopharyngeal nerve (CN IX)?

Answer 10

Stylopharngeus muscle (branchial motor)
Visceral sensory from:
- Pharynx
- Carotid sinus 
- Carotid body

Question 11

In what triangles/regions are the Sympathetic chain and ganglia located?

Answer 11

Anterior triangle (carotid triangle) and Root of neck

Question 12

What nerves are found in the root of the neck?

Answer 12

Vagus (recurrent laryngeal nerves)
Phrenic
Sympathetic chain and ganglion