Cervical plexus
Cervical Plexus
The Cervical Plexus (pronunciation: /ˈsɜːrvɪkəl ˈpleksəs/) is a network of nerve fibers that originates from the anterior portions of the cervical spinal nerves.
Etymology
The term "Cervical" is derived from the Latin word "cervix" which means neck, and "Plexus" is derived from the Latin word "plexus" which means braid or network.
Anatomy
The Cervical Plexus is formed by the anterior rami of the first four cervical nerves (C1 to C4). It is located in the neck, deep to the sternocleidomastoid muscle. The plexus gives rise to several important nerves, including the phrenic nerve, lesser occipital nerve, greater auricular nerve, transverse cervical nerve, and supraclavicular nerves.
Function
The Cervical Plexus provides sensory and motor innervation to various structures in the neck and upper thorax. It also gives rise to the phrenic nerve, which is the sole motor supply to the diaphragm.
Related Terms
- Brachial plexus: A network of nerves that originate from the cervical and thoracic spinal nerves and supply the upper limb.
- Lumbar plexus: A network of nerves that originate from the lumbar spinal nerves and supply the lower limb.
- Sacral plexus: A network of nerves that originate from the sacral spinal nerves and supply the lower limb.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Cervical plexus
- Wikipedia's article - Cervical plexus
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