Final answer:
The Ansa Cervicalis is composed of fibers from the spinal nerves C1 through C3, and it innervates the omohyoid, sternohyoid, and sternothyroid muscles, which are involved in swallowing and stabilizing the hyoid bone.
Step-by-step explanation:
Spinal Levels Contributing to Ansa Cervicalis
The Ansa Cervicalis is a loop of nerves that is part of the cervical plexus. It is composed of axons from the spinal nerves C1 through C3. These nerve fibers reorganize and contribute to the formation of the ansa cervicalis, which provides motor innervation to some of the infrahyoid muscles.
Muscles Innervated by the Ansa Cervicalis
The muscles innervated by the ansa cervicalis include the omohyoid, sternohyoid, and sternothyroid muscles. These muscles play a crucial role in swallowing and stabilizing the hyoid bone. It is important to note that the ansa cervicalis does not innervate the thyrohyoid muscle; this muscle is innervated by fibers from the hypoglossal nerve (C1).