Ansa cervicalis

The **ansa cervicalis** is a nerve loop in the neck, formed by the union of two roots—superior (from C1–C2) and inferior (from C2–C3)—arising from the cervical plexus[1][2][3][5][6][7]. It innervates three of the four infrahyoid muscles (sternohyoid, sternothyroid, omohyoid), with the exception of the thyrohyoid, which is supplied by C1 via the hypoglossal nerve[1][3][5]. The loop lies deep to the sternocleidomastoid muscle, anterior to the carotid sheath, and is significant in head and neck anatomy and surgery due to its vulnerability in procedures affecting the neck[1][2][3][5][6]. The ansa cervicalis is not a molecule, receptor, enzyme, or drug target, but rather an anatomical nerve structure[2][3][6]. **Note:** - This is **not** considered a therapeutic target in molecular pharmacology or drug development. It is a nerve network, not a receptor, enzyme, or other molecular entity. - Any clinical or surgical interaction is anatomical, not via ligand/receptor or drug targeting pathways. - "Ansa cervicalis" is sometimes confused with molecular targets due to terminology but should not be treated as such[1][2][3]. **Summary:** "Ansa cervicalis" is an anatomical structure, not a molecular target, and is therefore not appropriate for drug targeting frameworks or molecular classifications.

Other names

Ansa hypoglossi (archaic)cervicalis ansa (rare)