View source for Cervical plexus

{{Infobox Nerve |
  Name         = {{PAGENAME}} |
  Latin        = plexus cervicalis |
  GraySubject  = 210 |
  GrayPage     = 925 |
  Image        = Gray784.png |
  Caption      = Dermatome distribution of the trigeminal nerve (Superficial cervical plexus visible in purple, at center bottom.) |
  Image2       =  |
  Caption2     =  |
  Innervates   = |
  BranchFrom   = [[Cervical nerves|C1-C4]] |
  BranchTo     = |
  MeshName     = |
  MeshNumber   = |
  DorlandsPre  = p_24 |
  DorlandsSuf  = 12647686  
}}
{{SI}}
{{CMG}}



==Overview==
The '''cervical plexus''' is a [[plexus]] of the [[ventral rami]] of the first four [[cervical spinal nerve]]s which are located from C1 to C4 cervical segment in the [[neck]].  They are located laterally to the transverse processes between prevertebral muscles from the medial side and vertebral (m.[[scalenus]], m.[[levator scapulae]], m.[[splenius cervicis]]) from lateral side.  Here there is anastomosis with [[accessory nerve]], [[hypoglossal nerve]] and [[sympathetic trunk]].

It is located in the [[neck]], deep to [[sternocleidomastoid]]. Nerves formed from the cervical plexus innervate the back of the [[head]], as well as some neck muscles.  The branches of the cervical plexus emerge from the [[posterior triangle]] at the nerve point, a point which lies midway on the posterior border of the [[Sternocleidomastoid]].

==Branches==
has two types of branches: [[Cutaneous innervation|cutaneous]] and muscular.
*Cutaneous (4 branches): 
**[[Lesser occipital nerve]] - innervates lateral part of [[occipital]] region (C2,C3)
**[[Greater auricular nerve]] - innervates skin near [[concha]] auricle and [[external acoustic meatus]] (C2&C3)
**[[Transverse cervical nerve]] - innervates anterior region of neck (C2&C3)
**[[Supraclavicular nerves]] - innervate region of [[suprascapularis]], [[shoulder]], and upper [[thoracic]] region (C3,C4)
*Muscular
**[[ansa cervicalis]] (loop formed from C1-C3), etc. ([[geniohyoid]] (C1 only), [[thyrohyoid]] (C1 only), [[sternothyroid]], [[sternohyoid]], [[omohyoid]])

==Diagram==
<center>[[Image:Cervical plexus.png|650px]]</center>

==Additional images==
<gallery>
 Image:Gray804.png|Plan of the cervical plexus.
 Image:Gray805.png|The nerves of the scalp, face, and side of neck.
 Image:Gray838.png|The right sympathetic chain and its connections with the thoracic, abdominal, and pelvic plexuses. 
 Image:Gray1210.png|Side of neck, showing chief surface markings.
</gallery>

==External links==
* {{MUNAnatomy|nerve/cerplex}}
* {{SUNYAnatomyFigs|25|03|02}} - "Diagram of the cervical plexus"
* {{eMedicineDictionary|Cervical+plexus}}
* {{MedicalMnemonics|268|||}}
* [http://kobiljak.msu.edu/cai/ANT551/Unit02/Topic04/U2_L4_O6.html Diagram at msu.edu]

{{Spinal nerves}}
{{Cervical plexus}}


[[Category:Nervous system]]
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[[fr:Plexus cervical]]
[[pl:Splot szyjny]]
[[pt:Plexo cervical]]