The Cervical Plexus
The cervical plexus is a network of nerve fibres that supplies innervation to some of
the structures in the neck and trunk.
It is located in the posterior triangle of the neck, halfway up the sternocleidomastoid
muscle, and within the prevertebral layer of cervical fascia. The plexus is formed by
the anterior rami (divisions) of cervical spinal nerves C1-C4.
In this article, we shall look at the anatomy of the cervical plexus – its branches,
functions and clinical correlations.
Spinal Nerves
The spinal nerves C1 – C4 form the basis of the cervical plexus.
At each vertebral level, paired spinal nerves leave the spinal cord via the
intervertebral foramina of the vertebral column.
Each nerve then divides into anterior and posterior nerve fibres. The cervical plexus
begins as the anterior fibres of the spinal nerves C1, C2, C3 and C4.
These fibres combine with each other to form the branches of the cervical plexus.
Fig 1.0 – The spinal cord outflow at each vertebral level.
Branches of the Cervical Plexus
The cervical plexus gives rise to numerous branches which supply structures in the
head and neck. They can broadly be divided into two groups – muscular branches and
sensory branches.
The cervical plexus is a network of nerve fibres that supplies innervation to some of
the structures in the neck and trunk.
It is located in the posterior triangle of the neck, halfway up the sternocleidomastoid
muscle, and within the prevertebral layer of cervical fascia. The plexus is formed by
the anterior rami (divisions) of cervical spinal nerves C1-C4.
In this article, we shall look at the anatomy of the cervical plexus – its branches,
functions and clinical correlations.
Spinal Nerves
The spinal nerves C1 – C4 form the basis of the cervical plexus.
At each vertebral level, paired spinal nerves leave the spinal cord via the
intervertebral foramina of the vertebral column.
Each nerve then divides into anterior and posterior nerve fibres. The cervical plexus
begins as the anterior fibres of the spinal nerves C1, C2, C3 and C4.
These fibres combine with each other to form the branches of the cervical plexus.
Fig 1.0 – The spinal cord outflow at each vertebral level.
Branches of the Cervical Plexus
The cervical plexus gives rise to numerous branches which supply structures in the
head and neck. They can broadly be divided into two groups – muscular branches and
sensory branches.
