CERVICAL BRANCHES. 405 



( Superficialis colli, 

 Ascending. < Auricularis magnus, 

 c . i N f Occipitalis minor. 



Superficial < Ucromiales, 



Descending, j Claviculares . 



Communicating branches, 

 Deep 1 Muscular, 



^ Communicans noni, 

 Phrenic. 



The Superficialis colli is formed by communicating branches from 

 the second and third cervical nerves ; it curves around the posterior' 

 border of the sterno-mastoid and crosses obliquely behind the ex- 

 ternal jugular vein to the anterior border of that muscle, where it 

 divides into an ascending and a descending branch ; the descending 

 branch is distributed to the integument on the side and front of the 

 neck ; the ascending branch passes upwards to the subm axillary 

 region, and divides into four or five filaments, some of which pierce 

 the platysma myoides and supply the integument as high up as the 

 chin and the lower part of the face, while others form a plexus with 

 the descending branches of the facial nerve beneath the platysma. 

 One or two filaments from this nerve accompany the external jugular 

 vein. 



The Auricularis magnus also proceeds from the second and third 

 cervical nerve ; it curves around the posterior border of the sterno- 

 mastoid and ascends upon that muscle, lying parallel with the ex- 

 ternal jugular vein to the parotid gland, where it divides into a 

 superficial and deep branch. The superficial branch is distributed 

 to the integument over the parotid gland, and to the anterior surface 

 of the external ear. The deep branch pierces the parotid gland and 

 crosses the mastoid process, w T here it divides into branches which 

 supply the posterior part of the pinna and the integument of the side 

 of the head. Previously to its division the auricularis magnus nerve 

 sends off" several facial branches which are distributed to the cheek. 

 The terminal branches of this nerve communicate with branches 

 of the anterior auricular, the facial, and the occipitalis major 

 nerve. 



The Occipitalis minor arises from the second cervical nerve ; it 

 curves around the posterior border of the sterno-mastoid above the 

 preceding and ascends upon that muscle, parallel with its posterior 

 border, to the lateral and posterior side of the head. It is distributed 

 to the integument in this region. 



The Acromiales and Claviculares are two or three large nerves 

 which descend from the plexus and divide into numerous branches 

 which pass downwards over the clavicle, and are distributed to the 

 integument of the upper and anterior part of the chest from the 

 sternum to the shoulder. 



The Communicating branches are filaments which arise from the 

 loop between the first and second cervical nerve, and pass inwards 



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