Supraclavicular nerve
The nervi supraclaviculares ("subclavian nerves ") are a group of sensory nerves that arise from the cervical plexus ( plexus cervicalis ). The root cells of this nerve group are located in the dorsal root ganglia of the third and fourth neck segments of the spinal cord (C3 and C4). After isolation from the neck plexus, they pierce the neck muscles at Erb's point and descend into the subcutaneous tissue of the neck .
Three subgroups are named according to their location:
- The nervi supraclaviculares anteriores ("anterior subclavicular nerves ") cross the vena jugularis externa and the muscle sternocleidomastoideus in the superficial level ( space interaponeuroticum supraclavicularis ) of the fossa supraclavicularis major and innervate the skin of the anterior neck.
- The nervi supraclaviculares intermedii ("middle subclavicular nerves ") cross the clavicle and supply the skin over the large pectoral muscle and the deltoid muscle .
- The nervi supraclaviculares posteriores ("posterior subclavicular nerves ") run diagonally over the trapezius muscle and the bone corner ( acromion ) of the shoulder blade and supply the skin in the upper and rear shoulder area.
A failure of the Nn. Supraclaviculares can lead to deafness in the regions mentioned above, but an isolated interruption of these conduction pathways rarely occurs.