Subclavian nerve explained

Subclavian nerve
Latin:nervus subclavius
Innervates:Subclavius muscle
Branchfrom:Upper trunk (C5-C6) of brachial plexus
Branchto:Sometimes the accessory phrenic nerve

The subclavian nerve, also known as the nerve to the subclavius, is a small branch of the upper trunk of the brachial plexus. It contains axons from C5 and C6. It innervates the subclavius muscle.

Anatomy

Origin

The subclavian nerve is a branch of the upper trunk of the brachial plexus. It contains axons derived from the ventral rami of the C5 and C6 cervical spinal nerves.[1]

The origin is situated within the posterior triangle of the neck.[2]

Course

Descending, it passes anterior to (the 3rd part of) the subclavian artery and vein.

Variation

Accessory phrenic nerve

The subclavian nerve may issue a branch called the accessory phrenic nerve which innervates the diaphragm.[3] The accessory phrenic nerve may rather branch from the C4 or C6 segments or ansa cervicalis. This nerve usually joins with the phrenic nerve before innervating the diaphragm, ventral to the subclavian vein.[4]

Function

The subclavian nerve innervates the subclavius muscle.[5]

References

  1. Book: Rubin, Michael . Netter's concise neuroanatomy . 28 September 2016 . Netter, Frank H. (Frank Henry), 1906-1991 . 978-0-323-48091-8 . Updated . Philadelphia, PA . 310 . 946698976.
  2. Book: Kadasne, D. K. . Kadasne's Textbook of Anatomy . Jaypee Brothers Medical Publishers . 2009 . 978-81-8448-455-7 . 1st . New Delhi . 682534511.
  3. Loukas. Marios. Kinsella. Christopher R.. Louis. Robert G.. Gandhi. Sagar. Curry. Brian. November 2006. Surgical anatomy of the accessory phrenic nerve. The Annals of Thoracic Surgery. 82. 5. 1870–1875. 10.1016/j.athoracsur.2006.05.098. 1552-6259. 17062263.
  4. Sharma . Manish S. . Loukas . Marios . Spinner . Robert J. . 2011 . Accessory phrenic nerve: A rarely discussed common variation with clinical implications . Clinical Anatomy . en . 24 . 5 . 671–673 . 10.1002/ca.21142. 21374726 . 20001098 .
  5. Book: Drake, Richard L.. Gray's anatomy for students. 2005. Elsevier / Churchill Livingstone. Wayne Vogl, Adam W. M. Mitchell, Henry Gray. 2005. 0-443-06612-4. Philadelphia. 645. en. 55139039.