ABSTRACT
With the expanding use of the
ansa cervicalis nerve for laryngeal
reinnervation procedures, the aim of
this work was to study the anatomical
variations of ansa cervicalis in its
roots, course and branching pattern.
Twenty five Egyptian necks (50 sides)
were dissected. The results showed
that the ansa cervicalis (AC) consisted
of two roots: superior and inferior
roots. These two roots joined together
to form a nerve loop. The superior
root of AC originated from the hypoglossal
nerve in 100%.The superior
root of AC descended in front of the
external carotid artery in 68% and in
front of the internal carotid artery in
32%. The inferior root of AC was derived
from the ventral rami of C2 and
C3 in 84% and from C2 in 16%. There
were four morphological forms of the
loop of ansa cervicalis: 1- U-shaped
loop in 84%. II- Y-shaped loop in 8%.
III- double fused Y-shaped loop in
4%.V1- double separate Y-shaped loop
in 4%. The superior root of AC gave a
branch to the superior belly of omohyoid
hi 96% and a branch to sternomastoid
in 24% . The inferior root of
AC gave a branch to inferior belly of
omohyoid and a communicating
branch to phrenic nerve in 4%. These |
