Superficial branches of cervical plexus
Rami superficiales plexus cervicalis
- Latin synonym: Rami cutanei plexus cervicalis
- Synonym: Cutaneous branches of cervical plexus
Definition
The cervical plexus gives off superficial (sensory) and deep (motor) branches.
The superficial branches of cervical plexus provide sensory innervation to the skin of the neck, the upper thoracic region, and parts of the scalp. The cervical plexus, as it emerges anterior to the scalene medius muscle, gives off superficial branches which emerge in the neck region at the midpoint of the posterior border of the sternocleidomastoid muscle. This point is called the Erb’s point, where the cutaneous branches of the cervical plexus become superficial. These then pierce the deep investing fascia of the neck, to come to lie within the superficial fascia. The superficial branches of cervical plexus include:
Lesser occipital nerve (C2),
Great auricular nerve (C2, C3),
Transverse cervical nerve (C2, C3), and
Supraclavicular nerves (C3, C4).
References
Usui Y, Kobayashi T, Kakinuma H, Watanabe K, Kitajima T, Matsuno K. An anatomical basis for blocking of the deep cervical plexus and cervical sympathetic tract using an ultrasound-guided technique. Anesth Analg. 2010 Mar 1;110(3):964-8.
Glenesk NL, Kortz MW, Lopez PP. Anatomy, Head and Neck, Posterior Cervical Nerve Plexus. [Updated 2023 Jul 24]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2025 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK538514/
Drake, R.L., Vogl, A.W., and Mitchell, A.W.M. (2010). ‘Chapter 8: Head and Neck’, in Gray’s anatomy for students. (2nd ed.) Churchill Livingstone Elsevier, Philadelphia PA 19103, pp.974-975.
Amirlak B, Lu KB, Erickson CR, Sanniec K, Totonchi A, Peled ZM, Cheng JC. In-Depth Look at the Anatomical Relationship of the Lesser Occipital Nerve, Great Auricular Nerve, and Spinal Accessory Nerve and Their Implication in Safety of Operations in the Posterior Triangle of the Neck. Plast Reconstr Surg. 2020 Sep;146(3):509-514.
Altafulla J, Iwanaga J, Lachkar S, Prickett J, Dupont G, Yilmaz E, Ishak B, Litvack Z, Tubbs RS. The Great Auricular Nerve: Anatomical Study with Application to Nerve Grafting Procedures. World Neurosurg. 2019 May;125:e403-e407.
