An Unusual Variation of the Accessory Nerve.

Cureus. 2018 Jun 9;10(6):e2774. doi: 10.7759/cureus.2774.

Alimi Y, Iwanaga J, Loukas M, Oskouian RJ, Tubbs RS.

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Abstract

The accessory nerve is an important nerve in the head and neck regions. Some variants of this nerve's anatomy have been reported. Herein, we present an unusual report and review the extant medical literature regarding other more commonly found derailments of this nerve's anatomy.

KEYWORDS:

accessory nerve; internal jugular vein; sternocleidomastoid muscle; variations

Figure 1

Posterior dissection of the left lateral neck

Trapezius is reflected from its midline and scapular attachments and moved superolaterally to view its deep surface.

Figure 2

Repeat of Figure ​Figure11 emphasizing the neural loop (arrows) formed on the deep surface of the trapezius muscle and made up of one-half of distal fibers of the C4 ventral ramus and one-half from the distal accessory nerve to the trapezius