The cervical plexus is formed by the ventral rami of cervical nerves C1-C4. It lies deep to neck muscles and veins, and gives off cutaneous and muscular branches. Cutaneous branches include the lesser occipital, great auricular, transverse cervical, and supraclavicular nerves. Muscular branches supply neck muscles like the sternocleidomastoid and trapezius, as well as the diaphragm. The cervical plexus communicates with other nerves and the sympathetic trunk.

1. V.S.Rashmi Priyem
ULTRA’S BEST Dental Science College

2. Formation
 Formed by Ventral Rami of the Upper Four Cervical
Nerves.
 The Ventral Rami of C2–C4 divide into Upper and
Lower Branches.
 The Ventral Ramus of C1 and Branches of C2–C4
Ventral Rami are connected with One Another to form
Three Loops, hence Cervical Plexus is also called
Plexus of Loops.
 The First Loop is directed Forwards in Front of the
Transverse Process of Atlas and the Remaining Two
Loops are directed Backwards.

5. Position and Relations
 Cervical Plexus lies on Levator scapulae and Scalenus
medius Muscles.
 Cervical Plexus lies deep to Prevertebral Fascia,
Internal Jugular Vein and Sternocleidomastoid.

7. Branches
 Cervical Plexus supplies Skin, Muscles of the Neck,
and Thoracoabdominal Diaphragm.
 Branches are arranged into Superficial and Deep
Groups.

8. Superficial (Cutaneous) Branches
 1. Lesser Occipital Nerve (C2)
 2. Great Auricular Nerve (C2, C3)
 3. Transverse (Anterior) Cervical Nerve (C2, C3)
 4. Supraclavicular Nerve (C3, C4)

12. Deep Branches - Communicating Branches
 (a) Grey Rami Communicantes from Superior Cervical
Sympathetic Ganglion to all the 4 Roots
 (b) A Branch of C1 joins the Hypoglossal Nerve
 (c) A Branch from C2 to Sternocleidomastoid and
Branches from C3–C4 to Trapezius communicate with
Spinal Accessory Nerve

14. Deep Branches - Muscular Branches
 The Following Muscles are supplied by Cervical Plexus:
 (a) Rectus capitis anterior (C1)
 (b) Rectus capitis lateralis (C1, C2)
 (c) Longus capitis (C1–C3)
 (d) Longus colli (C2–C4)
 (e) Strap Muscles (C1–C3)
 (f) Sternocleidomastoid (C2)
 (g) Trapezius (C3, C4)
 (h) Levator scapulae (C3, C4)
 (i) Scalene Muscles (C3, C4)
 (j) Diaphragm (C3, C4)