Corpus: Supraclavicular nerves

The supraclavicular nerves are sensory branches of the cervical plexus, containing fibers from the dorsal root ganglia of spinal segments C3 and C4.

The supraclavicular nerves are divided into three groups:

• Medial supraclavicular nerves
• Intermediate supraclavicular nerves
• Lateral supraclavicular nerves

The supraclavicular nerves provide sensory innervation to the skin of the upper chest, shoulder region, and parts of the lower neck.

The supraclavicular nerves originate from the anterior branches of the 3rd and 4th cervical spinal nerves. They emerge around the sternocleidomastoideus muscle at a point called the punctum nervosum (Erb's point), alongside the lesser occipital nerve, transverse cervical nerve, and great auricular nerve. From there, they descend caudally in the lateral triangle of the neck, passing below the platysma muscle.

Near the clavicle, they pierce the superficial cervical fascia and the platysma to become cutaneous branches.

The medial supraclavicular nerves (also called anterior supraclavicular nerves) cross the external jugular vein and the heads of the sternocleidomastoideus muscle, supplying the skin of the anterior lower neck and upper chest up to the midline.

The intermediate supraclavicular nerves travel over the clavicle to supply the skin over the pectoralis major muscle and the anterior edge of the deltoid muscle, where they connect with the cutaneous branches of the intercostal nerves.

The lateral supraclavicular nerves (posterior supraclavicular nerves) cross the anterior border of the trapezius muscle and the acromion, innervating the skin over the upper shoulder region.

Lesions of the supraclavicular nerves may occur due to a clavicle fracture or as a complication of a cervical plexus nerve block. Symptoms include loss of sensation or pain in the shoulder and upper thoracic regions.