Anatomic study of the cervical dorsal rami nerve

Objective:To provide anatomic basis for the diagnosis and treatment of the compression syndrome in cervical dorsal rami nerve.Method:Ramification course and distribution of cervical dorsal rami nerve and its anatomic relationship with the adjacent were observed on 20 adult embalmed cadaver(40sides).Result:①The deep ramus of the medial branch of C2 dorsal ramus supplied the obliguus capitis inferior muscle and semispinalis capitis muscle.②C3-8 dorsal rami arises from the spinal nerves,passed through osseofibrous aperture and the osseofibrous canal,passed through the tendinous decussating fibers of the semispinalis neck muscle and the circle muscle,and then supplied the nuchal muscles,the cervical zygapophysial joints and the occipital and nuchal skin.③The walls of the osseofibrous aperture of the cervical dorsal rami nerve: The inferior wall was the superior margin of the posterior tubercle of the same ordinal cervical vertebral transverse process;The superior wall was the inferior margin of the above cervical vertebral transverse process,and the soft tissue between the ribs;The medial wall was the lateral margin of the superior articular process of the ordinal cervical vertebrae;The lateral wall was the muscle between the transverse processes and the medial margin of the ligament between the transverse processes.④The walls of the osseofibrous canal of the cervical dorsal rami nerve: The medial wall was the external surface of the waist of the transverse processes;The lateral wall was the tendinous fibers of the semispinalis neck muscle;The superior wall was the superior articular process of the same ordinal cervical vertebrae;The inferior wall was the inferior articular process of the same ordinal cervical vertebrae.Conclusion:The osteo-fibrous apertures,osteo-fibrous canal and the tendinous decussating fibers of the nuchal muscles passed through by cervical dorsal rami might be the anatomic basis of the cervical dorsal rami compression syndrome.