View source for Nerve point of neck

{{Short description|Aspect of human anatomy}}
{{Distinguish|Erb's point (cardiology)}}
{{missing info|relation to bifurcation of carotid arteries|date=September 2014}}
{{Infobox anatomy
| Name        = Nerve point of neck
| Latin       = punctum nervosum
| Image       = Gray1210.png
| Caption     = Side of neck, showing chief surface markings.
| Image2      = Gray808.png
| Caption2    = The right brachial plexus with its short branches in anterior view.
| Precursor   =
| System      =
| Artery      =
| Vein        =
| Nerve       =
| Lymph       =
}}
The '''nerve point of the neck''', also known as '''Erb's point''',<ref>[http://lf1ep.wetpaint.com/page/Anatomy+Dissections Anatomy Dissections - LF1 English Parallel]  {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070305040306/http://lf1ep.wetpaint.com/page/Anatomy+Dissections |date=March 5, 2007 }}</ref> is a site at the upper trunk of the [[brachial plexus]] located 2–3&nbsp;cm above the [[clavicle]]. 
It is named for [[Wilhelm Heinrich Erb]].<ref>{{WhoNamedIt|synd|942}}</ref> Taken together, there are six types of nerves that meet at this point.

"Erb's point" is also a term used in head and neck surgery to describe the point on the posterior border of the [[sternocleidomastoid muscle]], approximately 2-3cm above the clavicle, overlying the transverse process of the sixth cervical vertebra,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Erb point |url=https://medical-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com/Erb+point |access-date=2023-08-29 |website=TheFreeDictionary.com |language=en}}</ref> where the four superficial branches of the [[cervical plexus]]—the [[greater auricular nerve|greater auricular]], [[lesser occipital nerve|lesser occipital]], [[transverse cervical nerve|transverse cervical]], and [[supraclavicular nerve]]s—emerge from behind the [[muscle]]. This point is located approximately at the junction of the upper and middle thirds of this muscle. From here, the [[accessory nerve]] courses through the [[posterior triangle of the neck]] to enter the anterior border of the [[trapezius muscle]] at a point located approximately at the junction of the middle and lower thirds of the anterior border of this muscle. The spinal accessory nerve can often be found 1&nbsp;cm above Erb's point.<ref>{{cite book|editor=Paul W. Flint  |display-editors=etal |title=Cummings otolaryngology head & neck surgery|date=2010|publisher=Mosby/Elsevier|location=Philadelphia, PA|isbn=9780323052832|edition=5th }}</ref>

==Structure==
{{expand section|location and surrounding structures|date=September 2014}}

===Convergence of nerves===
Erb's point is formed by the union of the [[Lateral pectoral nerve|C5]] and [[Lateral pectoral nerve|C6]] nerve roots, which later converge. At the nerve trunk, branches of [[suprascapular nerves]] and the [[nerve to the subclavius]] also merge. The merged nerve divides into the [[anterior]] and [[Posterior (anatomy)|posterior]] division of C5 and C6.

==Clinical significance==
Injury to Erb's point is commonly sustained at birth or from a fall onto the [[shoulder]]. The nerve roots normally involved are C5 and partly C6. Symptoms include paralysis of the [[biceps]], [[brachialis]], and [[coracobrachialis]] (through the [[musculocutaneous nerve]]); the [[brachioradialis]] (through the [[radial nerve]]); and the [[Deltoid muscle|deltoid]] (through the [[axillary nerve]]). The effect is called "[[Erb's palsy]]". Typically, an affected person's arm hangs at the side with the hand rotated medially, like a [[Porter (doorkeeper)|porter]] waiting for a tip; hence the colloquial name "porter's tip hand".<ref>Moore, Keith L. ''Clinically Oriented Anatomy'', 2nd ed. Williams & Wilkins: Baltimore, 1985. 658.</ref>

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
* {{SUNYAnatomyLabs|24|st|06|00}}

{{Brachial plexus}}

[[Category:Human head and neck]]
[[Category:Neuroanatomy]]