title: High division of the spinal accessory nerve and communication with a C2 branch of the cervical plexus: a previously unreported anatomical variant.
abstract: Anatomical variations of the spinal accessory nerve are well known. We describe a previously unreported variant in which the nerve divided high in level II after crossing the internal jugular vein and before entering the sternomastoid muscle. Both branches were joined by a communication from the C2 cervical root. We discuss the clinical implications of this finding.
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Queen Alexandra Hospital, Cosham, Portsmouth, UK.
authors.forename: L A
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Matthews
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Queen Alexandra Hospital, Cosham, Portsmouth, UK.
authors.forename: J N
authors.initials: JN
authors.lastname: Blythe
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Queen Alexandra Hospital, Cosham, Portsmouth, UK. Electronic address: Peter.brennan@porthosp.nhs.uk.
authors.forename: P A
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Brennan
mesh_terms: D000055:Accessory Nerve / Q000473:pathology*; D063405:Anatomic Variation; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000601:surgery; D002572:Cervical Plexus / Q000473:pathology*; D005260:Female; D005927:Glossectomy / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D007601:Jugular Veins / Q000473:pathology; D008875:Middle Aged; D037981:Neck Dissection / Q000379:methods; D009334:Neck Muscles / Q000294:innervation; D014062:Tongue Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery
keywords: Anatomical variant; Cervical plexus; Spinal accessory nerve