title: Ansa cervicalis as a variant of spinal accessory nerve plexus: a case report.
abstract: The ansa cervicalis is a neural loop in the neck formed by the union of two main nerve roots, namely superior and inferior roots, derived from ventral rami of the cervical nerves. With the expanding use of the ansa cervicalis for reinnervation procedures and the fact that it is located in the vicinity of major nerves and vessels of the neck, knowledge of the topography and morphology of this loop is quite necessary in the modern era. Any variation in the course, contributing roots or branching pattern of the ansa cervicalis, potentially alters and perhaps complicates the course of the procedures involving this nerve such as neurorrhaphy, skull base surgery, neck dissection, and anterior cervical spinal approach. Here, we present an unusual case of an ansa cervicalis encountered upon routine dissection of an adult male cadaver. In this case, the inferior root of the ansa cervicalis was formed by the joining of two rootlets, one originating from spinal accessory nerve and the other from a branch of the cervical plexus to the sternocleidomastoid muscle. The fibers traversing the branch of spinal accessory nerve were derived from the first segments of the cervical spinal cord. This case demonstrates a variant of the spinal accessory nerve plexus that contributed to the formation of the ansa cervicalis. Review of the literature was performed to reveal the possible clinical aspects of this anatomical variation.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anatomy, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran. aakhaki@canada.com
authors.forename: Amir Afshin
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Khaki
authors.forename: Ghaffar
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Shokouhi
authors.forename: Mohammadali Mohajel
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Shoja
authors.forename: Ramin Mostofi Zadeh
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Farahani
authors.forename: Sina
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Zarrintan
authors.forename: Arash
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Khaki
authors.forename: Hasan
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Montazam
authors.forename: Asghar
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Tanoomand
authors.forename: R Shane
authors.initials: RS
authors.lastname: Tubbs
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002102:Cadaver; D002572:Cervical Plexus / Q000002:abnormalities / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D005205:Fascia / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D007823:Laryngeal Nerves / Q000002:abnormalities / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D008297:Male; D013127:Spinal Nerves / Q000002:abnormalities / Q000033:anatomy & histology*