Vol 69, No 3 (2010)
Original article
Published online: 2010-08-02
Variations in the anatomy of ansa cervicalis
Folia Morphol 2010;69(3):160-163.
Abstract
With the emerging utilisation of ansa cervicalis in nerve reconstructive surgery,
it is important for surgeons to be conversant with the anatomy of these nerves.
This descriptive cross sectional study aimed at describing the morphology and
topographic anatomy of ansa cervicalis. We examined 38 adult human formalin-fixed cadavers. The superior root was present in 38 (100%) cases and 37 (97%)
cases, on the right and left sides, respectively. More than half (56%) of these
roots were located superior to the posterior belly of the digastric muscle. The
inferior root, on the other hand, was present in 34 (89.5%) cases on the right
side and 31 (81.6%) cases on the left side. Of all the inferior roots, 81.5% were
located lateral to the internal jugular vein. The loop was seen in all the cases
that had the inferior root, and was mostly (64.6%) located above the superior
belly of the omohyoid muscle. Knowledge of the anatomy of ansa cervicalis is
not only important for nerve reconstruction surgeries, but also for operations
in the neck, so as to avoid injuring the great vessels that are closely related to it.
(Folia Morphol 2010; 69, 3: 160-163)
(Folia Morphol 2010; 69, 3: 160-163)
Keywords: ansa cervicalisnerve reconstructionomohyoiddigastric muscle