Table 2:

Structures at Risk for Injury During Neck Dissection

Structure	Location	Possible Symptoms and Consequences
Recurrent Laryngeal Nerve	Level VI, VII	Weak or hoarse voice, aspiration
External Branch of the Superior Laryngeal Nerve	Level VI	Decreased pitch and voice projection
Spinal Accessory Nerve	Level II, V	Difficulty shrugging or turning neck
Hypoglossal Nerve	Level II	Deviation of tongue
Phrenic Nerve	Level III, IV	Diaphragmatic dysfunction
Vagus Nerve	Level II, III, IV	Weak or hoarse voice, aspiration
Brachial Plexus	Level IV, V	Varies
Thoracic Duct	Left Level IV	Lymphatic Leak
Parathyroid glands	Level VI, VII	Hypocalcemia