Nerves of the Neck

Question 1

CN 11 (spinal accessory)

Answer 1

• innervates traps and SCM
• enters skull through foramen magnum
• exits skull through jugular foramen

Question 2

CN 12 (hypoglossal)

Answer 2

• innervates the tongue muscles
• travels through hypoglossal canal
• runs with nerves of cervical plexus/ansa cervicalis

Question 3

CN 9 (glossopharyngeal)

Answer 3

innervates tongue and pharynx

Question 4

CN 10 (vagus)

Answer 4

• innervates larynx and pharynx for swallowing

- cardiac branches slow down HR

Question 5

cervical plexus/ansa cervicalis

Answer 5

• ventral rami C1-C4

- unite to form loops

Question 6

phrenic nerve

Answer 6

• C3-C5
• diaphragm
• crosses anterior scalene

Question 7

where do the sympathetic trunks come from?

Answer 7

lateral horn T1-L2

Question 8

the superior sympathetic ganglion has postganglionic neurons that form what?

Answer 8

• superior cervical cardiac nerve to cardiac plexus
• arterial branches
• carotid plexus

Question 9

the middle sympathetic ganglion (sometimes absent) has postganglionic neurons that form what?

Answer 9

middle cervical cardiac nerve to cardiac plexus

Question 10

the inferior sympathetic ganglion is sometimes fused with the _____ to form the _____

Answer 10

1st thoracic sympathetic ganglia; cervicothoracic (stellate) ganglion

Question 11

the inferior sympathetic ganglion has postganglionic neurons that form what?

Answer 11

inferior cervical cardiac nerve to cardiac plexus