Reflect the cleidomastoideus and omotransversarius muscles by bisecting the muscles at their midpoint. Follow the divided cleidomastoideus and omotransversarius muscles to their origins and insertions. From the dorsal side lift the muscle from the serratus ventralis cervicis muscle aided by blunt dissection and nicks with the scalpel or knife. The nerves making the brachial plexus can be observed passing through or near the scalenus muscle(s). Preserve about 2 cm of these nerves. The border of the splenius muscle and serratus ventralis cervicis muscles roughly coincides with the level of the ventral border of the cervical vertebral column.

Access the nuchal ligament. Remove the nuchal fat pad along the dorsal border of the rhomoideus muscle and nuchal ligament (horse). There is little color contrast between the fatty tissue and the ligaments. The ligament will feel tougher and show directional fibers following the length of the neck. In the large herbivore the nuchal ligament consists of two paired parts 1) funicular and 2) laminar parts. Also note that the funicular portion of the nuchal ligament inserts on the cranium. The nuchal ligament is absent in the pig.