Nerves of the neck (English)

The cervical plexus is located at the superior portion of the neck and is formed by the anterior rami of spinal nerves C2-C4. The cervical plexus gives off a number of deep and superficial branches. The deep branches include the ansa cervicalis, muscular branches of the cervical plexus and the phrenic nerve, while examples of superficial branches include the lesser occipital, great auricular, transverse cervical and supraclavicular nerves. The glossopharyngeal nerve (CN IX) descends between the internal carotid artery and internal jugular vein to innervate internal structures of the head and neck, while the vagus nerve (CN X) descends towards the thorax, giving off the superior and recurrent laryngeal nerves while doing so. The accessory nerve (CN XI) (in addition to contributions from spinal nerves C3/4), descends through the posterior aspect of the neck to reach the trapezius muscle of the back. Finally, the hypoglossal nerve (CN XII) does not give off any branches within the neck and travels to supply internal structures of the head.