Which nerve may be affected with damage to the cervical plexus?
phrenic nerve
The exception occurs when the distal plexus containing fibers of the phrenic nerve (although the phrenic nerve is not considered to be part of the cervical plexus proper) is traumatized causing hemidiaphragmatic dysfunction.
What causes cervical plexus pain?
The most frequent causes are high-energy trauma, together with sports injuries, penetrating trauma, and surgery that result in damage to the plexus. In particular injuries causing damage between the spinal cord and spinal ganglion (proximal) lead to severe pain.
What are the cutaneous branches of cervical plexus?
The superficial cutaneous branches of the plexus are the lesser occipital, great auricular, transverse cervical nerves, and the supraclavicular nerves. All of these branches emerge near the middle of the posterior border of the sternocleidomastoid muscle.
Which nerves arise from the cervical plexus?
Its branches consist of a superficial and deep set. The superficial branches are the great auricular nerve, lesser occipital nerve, transverse cervical, suprasternal, and supraclavicular nerves. The deep branches are the phrenic, communicantes cervicales, communicating, and muscular.
What is the most important nerve of the cervical plexus?
The phrenic nerve arises from the anterior rami of C3-C5. It provides motor innervation to the diaphragm. After arising from the cervical plexus, the nerve travels down the surface of the anterior scalene muscle and enters the thorax.
What does C4 C5 C6 control?
The C4 dermatome covers parts of the neck, shoulders, and upper part of arms. The C6 dermatome covers the thumb side of the hand and forearm. 2. See All About the C5-C6 Spinal Motion Segment. C7 helps control the triceps (the large muscle on the back of the arm that straightens the elbow) and wrist extensor muscles.
What kind of pain does the cervical plexus cause?
Patients with metastases of the cervical plexus typically complain of pain within the submandibular and subglottic area, posterior or lateral neck, or around the shoulder. Coughing, neck movement, or assuming a recumbent position exacerbates the pain.
Where are the sensory branches of the cervical plexus?
The cervical plexus is formed from the anterior primary rami of C1–C4, deep to the sternocleidomastoid muscle and in front of the scalenus medius and levator scapulae muscles. Sensory branches include the greater and lesser occipital nerves, great auricular nerve, cutaneous cervical nerves, and supraclavicular nerves.
Where are the superficial branches of the plexus located?
The superficial cutaneous branches of the plexus are the lesser occipital, great auricular, transverse cervical nerves, and the supraclavicular nerves. All of these branches emerge near the middle of the posterior border of the sternocleidomastoid muscle.
Where does the transverse cervical nerve come from?
The transverse cervical nerve (transversus colli, superficial colli, superficial cervical, or cutaneous cervical nerve in older and other texts) arises from the second and third cervical rami and provides innervation to the anterolateral regions of the neck.