Transverse cervical nerve: Difference between revisions

Revision as of 00:02, 10 February 2025

The transverse cervical nerve is a cutaneous nerve of the cervical plexus that supplies the skin of the anterior and lateral parts of the neck.

Anatomy

The transverse cervical nerve arises from the cervical plexus, which is formed by the anterior rami of the first four cervical spinal nerves (C1-C4). Specifically, the transverse cervical nerve originates from the anterior rami of the second and third cervical nerves (C2 and C3).

Course

The nerve emerges from the posterior border of the sternocleidomastoid muscle, approximately at the midpoint of the muscle. It then curves around the muscle to pass anteriorly and horizontally across the neck. The nerve travels superficially, lying deep to the platysma muscle, and divides into superior and inferior branches.

Branches

The superior branch ascends to supply the skin over the anterior triangle of the neck.
The inferior branch descends to supply the skin over the lateral and anterior parts of the neck.

Function

The primary function of the transverse cervical nerve is to provide sensory innervation to the skin of the anterior and lateral neck. It is responsible for transmitting sensory information such as touch, pain, and temperature from the skin to the central nervous system.

Clinical significance

The transverse cervical nerve can be involved in certain medical conditions or procedures. For example, it may be affected in cases of cervical plexus block, a regional anesthesia technique used during surgeries of the neck and shoulder. Injury to the nerve can result in sensory loss or altered sensation in its area of distribution.

Images

The nerves of the scalp, face, and side of neck.

The right brachial plexus with its short branches, viewed from in front.

Related pages

References

Standring, S. (2016). Gray's Anatomy: The Anatomical Basis of Clinical Practice. 41st Edition. Elsevier.
Moore, K. L., Dalley, A. F., & Agur, A. M. R. (2013). Clinically Oriented Anatomy. 7th Edition. Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.

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-'''Transverse cervical nerve''' is a nerve in the cervical region of the neck that provides sensation to the anterior region of the neck. It is a branch of the [[cervical plexus]], originating from the second and third [[cervical nerves]] (C2 and C3).
+{{Short description|Nerve of the neck}}
+{{About|the nerve|the artery|Transverse cervical artery}}
-==Etymology==
+The '''transverse cervical nerve''' is a cutaneous nerve of the cervical plexus that supplies the skin of the anterior and lateral parts of the neck.
-The term "transverse cervical nerve" is derived from its anatomical position and function. "Transverse" refers to its course across the neck, "cervical" pertains to the neck, and "nerve" denotes its function as a part of the nervous system.
 ==Anatomy==
-The transverse cervical nerve emerges from the [[cervical plexus]], specifically from the second and third cervical nerves. It travels across the neck, passing superficial to the [[sternocleidomastoid muscle]] and deep to the [[platysma muscle]]. It then divides into anterior and posterior branches, supplying sensation to the anterior region of the neck.
+The transverse cervical nerve arises from the cervical plexus, which is formed by the anterior rami of the first four cervical spinal nerves (C1-C4). Specifically, the transverse cervical nerve originates from the anterior rami of the second and third cervical nerves (C2 and C3).
+===Course===
+The nerve emerges from the posterior border of the [[sternocleidomastoid muscle]], approximately at the midpoint of the muscle. It then curves around the muscle to pass anteriorly and horizontally across the neck. The nerve travels superficially, lying deep to the [[platysma]] muscle, and divides into superior and inferior branches.
+===Branches===
+* The '''superior branch''' ascends to supply the skin over the anterior triangle of the neck.
+* The '''inferior branch''' descends to supply the skin over the lateral and anterior parts of the neck.
 ==Function==
-The primary function of the transverse cervical nerve is to provide sensation to the anterior region of the neck. This includes the skin overlying the sternocleidomastoid muscle, the anterior triangle of the neck, and the upper part of the chest.
+The primary function of the transverse cervical nerve is to provide sensory innervation to the skin of the anterior and lateral neck. It is responsible for transmitting sensory information such as touch, pain, and temperature from the skin to the central nervous system.
 ==Clinical significance==
-Damage to the transverse cervical nerve can result in loss of sensation in the anterior region of the neck. This can occur due to trauma, surgery, or conditions that affect the cervical plexus. Assessment of the transverse cervical nerve is often included in neurological examinations of the neck.
+The transverse cervical nerve can be involved in certain medical conditions or procedures. For example, it may be affected in cases of cervical plexus block, a regional anesthesia technique used during surgeries of the neck and shoulder. Injury to the nerve can result in sensory loss or altered sensation in its area of distribution.
+==Images==
+[[File:Gray805.png|thumb|right|Diagram of the cervical plexus.]]
+[[File:Gray804.png|thumb|right|The nerves of the scalp, face, and side of neck.]]
+[[File:Gray784.png|thumb|right|The right brachial plexus with its short branches, viewed from in front.]]
+[[File:Gray1210.png|thumb|right|The cervical plexus.]]
+==Related pages==
+* [[Cervical plexus]]
+* [[Sternocleidomastoid muscle]]
+* [[Platysma]]
-==Related terms==
+==References==
-* [[Cervical plexus]]: A network of nerve fibers in the neck from which the transverse cervical nerve originates.
+* Standring, S. (2016). ''Gray's Anatomy: The Anatomical Basis of Clinical Practice''. 41st Edition. Elsevier.
-* [[Cervical nerves]]: Nerves in the neck that contribute to the cervical plexus.
+* Moore, K. L., Dalley, A. F., & Agur, A. M. R. (2013). ''Clinically Oriented Anatomy''. 7th Edition. Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.
-* [[Sternocleidomastoid muscle]]: A muscle in the neck that the transverse cervical nerve passes superficial to.
-* [[Platysma muscle]]: A muscle in the neck that the transverse cervical nerve passes deep to.
-[[Category:Anatomy]]
+[[Category:Peripheral nervous system]]
-[[Category:Nervous system]]
+[[Category:Nerves of the head and neck]]
-[[Category:Neck]]
-{{stub}}