Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Concept Videos

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Layer-specific neuroanatomical architecture of the quadratus lumborum: a quantitative study using 3D micro-CT and immunofluorescence staining.

Surgical and radiologic anatomy : SRA·2026
Same author

Aircraft observations of black carbon over the Yellow Sea and Seoul Metropolitan Area: Vertical profiles and air mass origin influence.

Journal of environmental sciences (China)·2026
Same author

The "Direct Structural Disruption" Hypothesis: <i>Bacteroides fragilis</i> Toxin as a Potentiating Cofactor in MASH Pathogenesis.

Toxins·2026
Same author

Phase 1 evaluation of patients with newly diagnosed glioblastoma treated with radiation, nivolumab, and IDO1 enzyme inhibitor BMS-986205.

Clinical cancer research : an official journal of the American Association for Cancer Research·2026
Same author

3D micro-CT and immunofluorescence-based characterization of Denonvilliers' fascia and its neurovascular structures.

Scientific reports·2026
Same author

Anatomical Characterization of Transverse Facial Artery Perforators: A Micro-computed Tomography and Cadaveric Study.

Aesthetic surgery journal·2026

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 9, 2025

Sequential Photo-bleaching to Delineate Single Schwann Cells at the Neuromuscular Junction
11:12

Sequential Photo-bleaching to Delineate Single Schwann Cells at the Neuromuscular Junction

Published on: January 11, 2013

10.6K

Peripheral cranio-spinal nerve communication for trapezius muscle control using axonal profiling through

Miri Kim1,2, In-Seung Yeo1,2, Tae-Hyeon Cho2,3

  • 1Department of Anatomy, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea.

Scientific Reports
|October 25, 2024
PubMed
Summary

This study reveals that upper cervical nerves (C3-4) significantly contribute to trapezius motor control and proprioception, challenging the traditional view of the accessory nerve (CNXI) as solely motor.

Keywords:
Accessory nerveAxonCervical spinal nervesImmunofluorescenceProprioceptiveTrapezius

More Related Videos

Murine Spinotrapezius Model to Assess the Impact of Arteriolar Ligation on Microvascular Function and Remodeling
16:43

Murine Spinotrapezius Model to Assess the Impact of Arteriolar Ligation on Microvascular Function and Remodeling

Published on: March 3, 2013

12.2K
Investigating Functional Regeneration in Organotypic Spinal Cord Co-cultures Grown on Multi-electrode Arrays
08:25

Investigating Functional Regeneration in Organotypic Spinal Cord Co-cultures Grown on Multi-electrode Arrays

Published on: September 23, 2015

9.0K

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jun 9, 2025

Sequential Photo-bleaching to Delineate Single Schwann Cells at the Neuromuscular Junction
11:12

Sequential Photo-bleaching to Delineate Single Schwann Cells at the Neuromuscular Junction

Published on: January 11, 2013

10.6K
Murine Spinotrapezius Model to Assess the Impact of Arteriolar Ligation on Microvascular Function and Remodeling
16:43

Murine Spinotrapezius Model to Assess the Impact of Arteriolar Ligation on Microvascular Function and Remodeling

Published on: March 3, 2013

12.2K
Investigating Functional Regeneration in Organotypic Spinal Cord Co-cultures Grown on Multi-electrode Arrays
08:25

Investigating Functional Regeneration in Organotypic Spinal Cord Co-cultures Grown on Multi-electrode Arrays

Published on: September 23, 2015

9.0K

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Anatomy
  • Physiology

Background:

  • The accessory nerve (CNXI) is traditionally considered the primary motor pathway for the trapezius muscle.
  • Upper cervical nerves (C3 and C4) have been thought to primarily provide sensory feedback from the muscle.
  • Direct evidence for these functional roles has been limited, leading to ongoing debate.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the functional contributions of the accessory nerve (CNXI) and upper cervical nerves (C3-4) to trapezius muscle innervation.
  • To clarify the roles of these nerves in motor control, proprioception, and sympathetic modulation.
  • To challenge established notions regarding the sensory and motor functions of these nerves.

Main Methods:

  • Immunostaining of human trapezius muscle samples using specific antibodies.
  • Antibodies targeted neurofilament 200 (all axons), choline acetyltransferase (cholinergic axons), tyrosine hydroxylase (sympathetic axons), and alpha 3 sodium potassium ATPase (proprioceptive afferent axons).

Main Results:

  • Upper cervical nerves (C3-4) contain both cholinergic and non-cholinergic axons, indicating roles in proprioceptive feedback and somatic efferent functions.
  • These cervical nerves supply motor fibers, proprioceptive, and sympathetic axons to the trapezius muscle.
  • The accessory nerve (CNXI) comprises mainly somatic efferent fibers but also contains sympathetic and sensory fibers.
  • Mechanosensors, including nociceptive and sympathetic fibers, were identified within the cervical nerves.

Conclusions:

  • Upper cervical nerves (C3-4) play a crucial role in trapezius motor control, proprioceptive feedback, and sympathetic modulation.
  • The study challenges the long-held dichotomy of CNXI being exclusively motor and upper spinal nerves being exclusively sensory.
  • These findings necessitate a re-evaluation of the functional neuroanatomy of the trapezius muscle innervation.