EN | DE | PT Get help How to study Login Register
Anatomy
Basics
Terminology Introduction to the musculoskeletal system Introduction to the other systems
Upper limb
Overview Shoulder and arm Elbow and forearm Wrist and hand Nerves and vessels
Lower limb
Overview Hip and thigh Knee and leg Ankle and foot Nerves and vessels
Spine and back
Overview Spine Back
Thorax
Thoracic wall Female breast Mediastinum Esophagus Lungs Heart Diaphragm
Abdomen
Abdominal wall Peritoneal cavity Stomach Spleen Liver Pancreas Small intestine Large intestine Kidneys and ureters Nerves, vessels and lymphatics of the abdomen
Pelvis and perineum
Pelvic girdle and floor Female pelvis and reproductive organs Male pelvis and reproductive organs Urinary bladder and urethra Perineum Nerves, vessels and lymphatics of the pelvis.
Head and neck
Overview Skull Head Orbit and contents Nasal region Ear Teeth Oral cavity Pharynx Neck Nerves and vessels
Neuroanatomy
Cerebrum Subcortical structures Cerebellum and brainstem Ventricles, meninges and blood vessels Spinal cord Pathways of the nervous system Cranial nerves Peripheral nervous system
Cross sections
Head and neck Upper extremity Thorax Abdomen Male pelvis Female pelvis Lower extremity
Histology
General
Introduction to cells and tissues Epithelial tissue Connective tissue Nervous tissue Muscle tissue Cartilage and bone
Systems
Cardiovascular system Nervous system Integumentary system Musculoskeletal system Respiratory system Excretory system Endocrine system Digestive system Lymphatic system Male reproductive system Female reproductive system
Fetal tissues
Head and neck Trunk and limbs
Radiological anatomy
Head and neck
Head: Axial CT Brain: Axial MRI T2 Face: Axial MRI T2 Neck: Axial CT
Abdomen and pelvis
Abdomen: Axial MRI T2 Abdomen: Axial CT Female pelvis: Axial CT
Upper extremity
Shoulder: Axial MRI PD Wrist: Axial MRI T1
Lower extremity
Knee: Axial MRI
Thorax
Chest X-ray
AnatomyHead and neckOverview
Main nerves of the head and neck

Register now and grab your free ultimate anatomy study guide!

Go Premium

Main nerves of the head and neck: want to learn more about it?

Our engaging videos, interactive quizzes, in-depth articles and HD atlas are here to get you top results faster.

What do you prefer to learn with?

Videos Quizzes Both

“I would honestly say that Kenhub cut my study time in half.” – Read more. Kim Bengochea Kim Bengochea, Regis University, Denver

Main nerves of the head and neck

Learning objectives

This study unit will help you to:

  1. Identify the main nerves of the head and neck.
  2. Learn the main branches of those nerves and which areas they supply.

Watch video

The head and neck are supplied by the two major sources:

  • Cranial nerves I-XII, which originate from the brainstem and spinal cord, and supply the majority of the structures of the head.
  • Cervical plexus (C1-C5), formed by the anterior (ventral) rami of the upper five cervical spinal nerves. The motor and sensory branches of this plexus supply the majority of the structures of the neck.

This video tutorial will help you learn the main nerves of the head and neck:

Take a quiz

Solidify your knowledge and resolve any potential weak spots with our quiz:

For a broader topic focus, try out this fully customizable quiz:

Custom quiz: Overview of the head and neck For a broader topic focus, try this customizable quiz.

Browse atlas

Review the major nerves of the head and neck with our atlas galleries:

Summary

Key facts about the main nerves of the head and neck
Cranial nerves I-XII Nerves: Olfactory, optic, oculomotor, trochlear, trigeminal, abducent, facial, vestibulocochlear, glossopharyngeal, vagus, accessory, and hypoglossal nerves
Supply area: Skin, muscles, and organs of the head; some muscles and organs of the neck; parts of thoracic and abdominal viscera.
Cervical plexus (C1-C5) Motor and sensory branches to supply the majority of the muscles, organs, and skin of the neck; and parts of thoracic viscera.

Well done!

Related articles

12 cranial nerves Read article
Cervical plexus Read article
Cranial nerves quizzes and labeling exercises Read article

Continue your learning

Continue your learning with the anatomy of the cranial nerves and cervical plexus:

12 cranial nerves Explore study unit
Cervical plexus Explore study unit

Register now and grab your free ultimate anatomy study guide!