​Spinal Accessory Nerve Dysfunction/Spinal Accessory Palsy

The spinal accessory nerve is a part of the nerve network in the skull. It is located on the side of the neck and helps control muscles responsible for specific shoulder movements (trapezius muscles), such as shrugging and or moving the shoulder blade or your arms inwards. Another group of muscles controlled by the spinal accessory nerve also help you tilt and rotate your head. Any trauma or injury to the spinal accessory nerve can cause a spinal accessory nerve injury, which affects the movement of the muscles controlled by this nerve.

Spinal accessory nerve dysfunction can occur due to damage to the nerve due to neck trauma, injury to arm or neck, or even after surgical procedures such as lymph node biopsy, parotid surgery, carotid surgery and jugular vein cannulation.