Cervical Spinal Nerves: What Do You Need To Know About Them?

The cervical spinal nerves are a group of eight cervical spinal nerves located in the spinal cord. These eight cervical spinal nerves (C1-C8) start from the lower part of the skull.

All cervical spinal nerves, except C1 (which usually has no dorsal root), are connected to the dermatom. A dermatome is an area of ​​skin created by a spinal nerve.

Spinal nerves

The cervical spinal nerves in the neck are made up of eight spinal nerves, which in turn are part of the nerves (about 31-33 nerves) that belong to the somatic nervous system and are responsible for innervating different parts of the body.

They are built from the sensory and motor roots. The sensory root gives sensitivity to the muscles they are nervous about. In addition to this, the motor root allows for automatic muscle contraction. As a result of this composition, they achieve their goals.

The spinal nerves, which include the cervical spinal nerves, are as follows:

• Eight pairs of cervical spinal nerves (C1-C8)
• 12 pectoral nerves (T1-T12)
• Tail nerve
• Five Crucifixes (S1-S5)
• Five lumbar nerves (L1-L5)

Characteristics of cervical spinal nerves

The cervical spinal nerves consist of the same properties as other spinal nerves.

First, as we have already mentioned, the cervical spinal nerves are miscellaneous nerves. In other words, they are composed of both sensory and motor fibers.

Second, all distributions of ventral branches, with the exception of the pectoral nerves (T1 – T12), form several branches known as nerve complexes. These plexuses occur in the neck, shoulder and hip area.

The fibers from the ventral branches within these interconnected forks cross and redistribute so that each resulting ramus contains fibers from different spinal nerves.

In addition, they travel from each ventral ram to the peripheral areas of the body through different pathways of the forks.

For this reason, each limb muscle becomes stimulated by more than one spinal nerve. As a result, if damage occurs in one of these spinal cord or branch segments, its end portion need not remain completely unused.

Cervical spinal nerves

The ventral branch of the first four spinal nerves forms the plexus of the neck. Its branches are the nerves in the skin, which stimulate the skin in the following areas, ie carry sensory impulses:

• Neck
• Ear
• Neck

• Shoulder

Other forks also supply the muscles of the front of the neck. Freenic nerve fibers, which form fiber groups mainly between C3 and C4, are also derived from the plexus of the neck. The Phrenic nerve passes through the thorax to the diaphragm, the most important respiratory muscle of all.

The ventral nerves of the cervical spinal nerves (C5-C8) form the shoulder plexus together with the T1 pectoral nerve of the anterior branch. Its roots are responsible for producing energy for the shoulders and upper limbs.

The branches of the skin of the back are responsible for stimulating the surface of the back. The muscle branches of the head and neck, as well as the skin formed on the upper surface of the head and on the shoulders, also originate from these roots.

Division of cervical spinal nerves

Like all other spinal nerves, they can be divided into spinal branches and ventral branches after they leave the spinal canal. When they leave the spinal cord, the dorsal roots and ventral roots join together to form the ganglion of the spine.

These ganglia are divided into:

• For ventral or anterior ram. It is a thick fork that wraps together and divides the anastomoses to form the plexus of the neck we have already mentioned together with the anterior branch of the other spinal nerves.
• In the back or hindquarters. This is the lower part of the spinal cord and is much thinner than previously mentioned.

In summary, the cervical spinal nerves are an important part of the nervous system. We hope you enjoy reading them and realize the importance of taking care of them to avoid various diseases and problems.