Supraclavicular Nerve

Description

Arising from the cervical plexus, the supraclavicular nerve (C3 to C4) is traced as it emerges at the posterior border of the sternocleidomastoid in the upper lateral neck and then descends inferolaterally toward the clavicle. Superficial to the prevertebral fascia, its cutaneous branches course across the lower neck, passing anterior to the trapezius and over the clavicular region to supply skin over the shoulder cap and upper thorax. Nearby landmarks include the masseter more superiorly on the mandible, with accompanying superficial veins indicated in blue along the anterolateral neck. This side, slightly oblique perspective matters because it mirrors how the supraclavicular nerves are encountered clinically at the nerve point of the neck (Erb point), a frequent target for regional anesthesia and a frequent site of iatrogenic injury. Supraclavicular nerve block or inadvertent transection during clavicle fixation, lymph node biopsy, or low anterior neck incisions can produce numbness, dysesthesia, or painful neuroma over the clavicle and deltoid region. Small nerve, common complaint. Use this plate for head and neck anatomy teaching when introducing the cervical plexus and its cutaneous branches, or for operative texts detailing approaches to the clavicle, supraclavicular fossa, and lower anterior cervical exposures. It also fits clinical training materials for ultrasound guided superficial cervical plexus blocks and for counseling patients about expected sensory deficits after clavicular or neck procedures. Anatomical accuracy verified by SciePro's Medical Advisory Board.