Ansa cervicalis: a comprehensive review of its anatomy, variations, pathology, and surgical applications.

Anat Cell Biol. 2019 Sep;52(3):221-225. doi: 10.5115/acb.19.041. Epub 2019 Aug 26.

Kikuta S, Jenkins S, Kusukawa J, Iwanaga J, Loukas M, Tubbs RS.

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Abstract

The ansa cervicalis is a neural loop in the neck formed by connecting the superior root from the cervical spinal nerves (C1-2) and the inferior root descending from C2-C3. It has various anatomical variations and can be an important acknowledgment in specific operations of the neck region. This is a review the anatomy, variations, pathology and clinical applications of the ansa cervicalis.

Copyright © 2019. Anatomy & Cell Biology.

KEYWORDS:

Anatomy; Ansa cervicalis; Cervical spinal nerve; Hypoglossal nerve; Neck; Surgery

Fig. 1

Schematic drawing of anatomical structures of the ansa cervicalis in the left neck. The platysma, sternocleidomastoid, omohyoid muscle, all veins and the submandibular gland were already dissected. AC, ansa cervicalis; CCA, common carotid artery; IR, inferior root; OM, omohyoid muscle; PN, phrenic nerve; SHM, sternohyoid muscle; SR, superior root; STM, sternothyroid muscle; X, vagus nerve; XII, hypoglossal nerve.