plexus cervicalis

9.9

A network of nerves under a large neck muscle that gives feeling to the neck and shoulder

noun
/ˈplɛksəs sɜrˈvɪkeɪlɪs/

Specialized

: plexo cervical

Damage to the plexus cervicalis may result in sensory loss in parts of the neck and shoulder.

Examples

The surgeon had to carefully navigate around the plexus cervicalis during the procedure.
Anatomy students often memorize the structure and branches of the plexus cervicalis for their exams.
The plexus cervicalis is crucial for neck movement.
Surgeons often examine the plexus cervicalis during operations.
Anatomy students often memorize the structure and branches of the plexus cervicalis for their exams.
Damage to the plexus cervicalis may result in sensory loss in parts of the neck and shoulder.
The surgeon had to carefully navigate around the plexus cervicalis during the procedure.

Synonyms

cervical plexus

vsplexus cervicalis

Specialized

9.6

A group of nerves under a large neck muscle that send signals to the neck, shoulder, and breathing muscles

focuses on being formed from the front branches of the first four neck nerves

Surface Forms

plexus cervicalis singular

plexus cervicales plural

Morphology

plexus + cervicalis

The meaning is directly compositional: 'plexus' denotes a network of nerves/vessels and 'cervicalis' is a Latin/medical adjective meaning 'of the neck', so a learner who knows both constituents can infer 'a nerve network in the neck'. Although the form is medical/Latinized, the head-modifier composition mirrors common cross-linguistic patterns, making the sense transparent to someone who knows the parts.

Etymology

Plexus cervicalis comes from Latin words: plexus meaning 'braid' or 'network' and cervicalis meaning 'neck'. Imagine a small net of ropes under the neck muscle that links many nerves, so the name helps you remember it means a 'network of nerves' in the neck.