Lateral Perspective of the Supraclavicular Nerve

Description

Obliquely from the lateral neck, the supraclavicular nerve appears as terminal cutaneous rami of the cervical plexus (C3 to C4) emerging at the posterior border of the sternocleidomastoid, then coursing inferiorly across the posterior triangle toward the clavicle and shoulder. Superficial branches spread over the clavicular region and deltoid cap to reach skin near the acromion, lying superficial to the investing fascia and draped over the clavicular head of the trapezius and the superior fibers of the pectoralis major. Key surface landmarks include the auricle and angle of the mandible superiorly, with the clavicle forming the inferior boundary of the field. Facial expression muscles and the masseter-temporalis complex remain in view anterior and superior to the cervical plexus territory. For teaching regional anesthesia and surgical risk, this lateral perspective earns its keep. The supraclavicular nerves are commonly targeted at Erb’s point for cutaneous anesthesia of the anterolateral neck and shoulder, and they are prone to iatrogenic injury during clavicle fixation, lymph node biopsy in the posterior triangle, and low transverse neck incisions, producing numbness or dysesthesia over the clavicle and acromial region. Small branches also cross the clavicle in a way that explains postoperative sensory complaints after arthroscopic portal placement near the shoulder. Easy to miss. Use this artwork in gross anatomy and regional anesthesia curricula when mapping cervical plexus branches against sternocleidomastoid and trapezius, or in operative atlases discussing clavicular ORIF, posterior triangle dissections, and incision planning to reduce cutaneous nerve morbidity. It also supports patient-facing explanations of postoperative numbness around the collarbone and shoulder after neck or clavicle procedures. Anatomical accuracy verified by SciePro's Medical Advisory Board.