Cervical plexus

The cervical plexus is a network of nerves formed by the anterior (ventral) rami of the first four cervical spinal nerves (C1–C4), sometimes with contributions from C5. It provides both motor innervation (to several neck muscles and the diaphragm via the phrenic nerve) and sensory innervation (to the skin of the head, neck, and upper chest). Major branches include the ansa cervicalis, phrenic nerve, and several sensory nerves (lesser occipital, great auricular, transverse cervical, supraclavicular nerves). Damage to this plexus can impair neck function and compromise breathing. The cervical plexus is an anatomical structure (nerve bundle), not a molecular target like a receptor, enzyme, ion channel, or transporter, and therefore should not be listed as a druggable molecular target or therapeutic target in the biochemical/pharmacological sense. Key point: This entry is incorrect as a "molecule/receptor target"—the cervical plexus is a macroscopic anatomical neural network, not a molecular entity or canonical therapeutic target.

Other names

Cervical nerve plexusPlexus cervicalis