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Spinal nerve supply of the cervical region


 

SPINAL NERVE SEGMENT

PLEXUS

INNERVATION OF MUSCLE & VISCERIA

 

DERMATOME PATTERN

 

C1

CERVICAL

Anterior & Lateralis Rectus Capitis; Longus Capitis; Omohyoid; Thyrohyoid; Geniohyoid.

When present, referral is in the back of head covering occipital region.

C2

CERVICAL

Anterior & Lateralis Rectus Capitis; Omohyoid; Sternohyoid; Sternothyroid; Longus Capitis; Longus Colli

Posteriorly refers to the supraoccipital region; Laterally the zone refers from the superior aspect of the ear inferiorly to the posterior aspect of the ear.

C3

CERVICAL

Omohyoid; Sternohyoid; Sternothyroid; Longus Capitis; Longus Colli; Scalenes Medius: Scalenes Posterior; Levator scapulae; Rhomboids; Trapezius; Respiratory diaphragm.

Lateral and anterior aspect of the neck

C4

CERVICAL

Longus Capitis; Longus Colli; Scalenus Medius; Scalenes Posterior; Levator Scapulae; Trapezius; Rhomboids; Teres Minor; Supraspinatus; Infraspinatus; Deltoid; Respiratory Diaphragm

Superior posterior aspect of neck as well as anterior inferior aspect of neck

C5

CERVICAL AND BRACHIAL

Sometimes part of the Levator Scapulae; Rhomboids; Supraspinatus; Infraspinatus; Subscapularis; Deltoid; Biceps Brachii; Brachioradialis;  Scalenes Anterior; Scalenes Posterior; Serratus Anterior; Pectoralis Major & Minor; Teres Major & Minor; Longus Colli; Respiratory Diaphragm

Posteriorly traverses from the superior aspect of the cervical thoracic junction to anteriorly slightly superior to or directly on top of the clavicle; additionally it traverses from the superior aspect of the CT junction superiorly and slightly posterior across the shoulder down the anterior medial aspect of the arm and forearm terminating slightly superior to the wrist.

C6

BRACHIAL

Sometimes Latissimus Dorsi; Scalene Anterior; Scalenes Posterior; Pectoralis Major & Minor; Serratus Anterior; Supraspinatus; Infraspinatus; Subscapularis; Teres Major & Minor;  Deltoid; Biceps Brachii; Triceps;   Brachioradialis; Pronator Teres; Longus Colli;  Extensor Carpi radialis & Ulnaris; Extensor Digiti Quanti Proprius;  Flexor Carpi Radialis

With a broad horizontal distribution it initiates from the inferior aspect of C6 traverses the posterior aspect of the upper back & shoulder, and distally down the lateral aspect of the arm, forearm, and into the thumb.

C7

BRACHIAL

Scalene Anterior; Scalenes Posterior; Pectoralis Major & Minor; Serratus Anterior; Subscapularis; Teres Major; Latissimus Dorsi; Triceps; Pronator Teres; Longus Colli; Extensor Carpi radialis & Ulnaris; Extensor Digitorum & Quanti Proprius;   Flexor Carpi Radialis; Palmaris Longus

With a broad horizontal distribution it traverses inferior from the CT junction across the superior aspect of the upper back to the posterior aspect of the shoulder & distally down the posterior aspect of the arm, forearm, middle & index fingers.

C8

BRACHIAL

Scalene Anterior; Scalene Posterior; Pectoralis Major & Minor; Subscapularis; Teres Major; Latissimus Dorsi; Triceps; Sometimes Pronator Teres; Longus Colli;  Extensor Carpi Radialis & Ulnaris; Extensor Digitorum & Quanti Proprius; Flexor Digitorum Superficialis & Profundus; Flexor Pollicis Longus & Brevis; Interossei; Lumbricales; Palmaris Longus

The referral initiates medial to the vertebral border of the scapulae traverses beneath the inferior angle and continues superior and laterally to the axilla at which time it traverses from the axilla distally down the medial aspect of the arm, forearm & into the ring and little finger.

 

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