cervical spinal nerve

Introduction

Nerves emerging from the cervical spinal cord (C1-C8).

Action

• motor function
  • C4: spontaenous respirations
  • C5: shrug shoulders
  • C6: elbow flexion
  • C7: elbow extension
  • C8: finger flexin

Course

• the nerves exit the intervertebral foramen above the corresponding cervical vertebrae, with C1 exiting above the atlas & C8 exiting above T1
• this differs from the thoracic & lumbar spinal nerves which exit the intervertebral foramen below the corresponding vertebrae.

More general terms

• spinal nerve

More specific terms

• 1st cervical spinal nerve (C1); suboccipital nerve
• 2nd cervical spinal nerve (C2)
• 3rd cervical spinal nerve (C3)
• 4th cervical spinal nerve (C4)
• 5th cervical spinal nerve (C5)
• 6th cervical spinal nerve (C6)
• 7th cervical spinal nerve (C7)
• 8th cervical spinal nerve (C8)

Additional terms

• cervical branch of facial nerve (CN VII)
• dermatome
• myotome