Skip to main content

Advertisement

Log in

A novel variant of the cleidocervicalis muscle with clinical implications for nerve compression/entrapment

  • Anatomic Variations
  • Published:
Surgical and Radiologic Anatomy Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Purpose

The cleidocervicalis muscle occurs in approximately 1–3 % of the population that may be confused with pathological neck masses. We describe a novel variant of the muscle and its clinical implications.

Methods

This is a case report of a cleidocervicalis muscle variant identified during routine cadaveric dissection.

Results

The muscle identified originated on the C5 vertebra and inserted on the clavicle medial to the trapezius muscle. Innervation was provided by a C6 spinal nerve branch. Notably, a branch of the supraclavicular nerve was closely associated with the muscle, raising the possibility of compression of this nerve.

Conclusions

Presence of a cleidocervicalis muscle should be considered in cases of shoulder pain consistent with supraclavicular nerve entrapment or compression.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Fig. 1

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Gelberman RH, Verdeck WN, Brodhead WT (1975) Supraclavicular nerve-entrapment syndrome. J Bone Joint Surg Am 57A:119

    Google Scholar 

  2. Jelev L, Surchev L (2007) Study of variant anatomical structures (bony canals, fibrous bands, and muscles) in relation to potential supraclavicular nerve entrapment. Clin Anat 20:278–285. doi:10.1002/ca.20368

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  3. Leon X, Maranillo E, Quer M, Sañudo JR (1995) Case report: cleidocervical or levator claviculae muscle. A new embryological explanation as to its origin. J Anat 187:503–504

    PubMed Central  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  4. Loukas M, Sullivan A, Tubbs RS, Shoja MM (2008) Levator claviculae: a case report and review of the literature. Folia Morphol 67:307–310

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  5. Matsuoka T, Ahlberg PE, Kessaris N, Iannarelli P, Dennehy U, Richardson WD, McMahon AP, Koentges G (2005) Neural crest origins of the neck and shoulder. Nature 436:347–355

    Article  CAS  PubMed Central  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  6. Odate T, Kawai M, Ilio K, Funayama S, Futamata H, Takeda S (2012) Anatomy of the levator claviculae, with an overview and literature survey. Anat Sci Int 87:203–211. doi:10.1007/s1256501201488

    Article  PubMed Central  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  7. Rosenheimer JL, Loewy J, Lozanoff S (2000) Levator claviculae muscle discovered during physical examination for cervical lymphadenopathy. Clin Anat 13:298–301

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  8. Rubinstein D, Escott EJ, Hendrick LL (1999) Prevalence and CT appearance of the levator claviculae muscle: a normal variant not to be mistaken for an abnormality. Am J Neuroradiol 20:583–586

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  9. Tomo S, Toh H, Hirakawa T, Tomo I, Kobayashi S (1994) Case report: the cleidocervical muscle with speculation as to its origin. J Anat 184:165–169

    PubMed Central  PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Conflict of interest

The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

Ethical standard

The experiments comply with the current laws of the country in which they were performed.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Heather J. Billings.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Billings, H.J., Sherrill, W.C. A novel variant of the cleidocervicalis muscle with clinical implications for nerve compression/entrapment. Surg Radiol Anat 37, 697–699 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00276-014-1384-5

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00276-014-1384-5

Keywords

Navigation