Anaesthetics: Anatomy - Neck Flashcards
What is unique about the hyoid bone?
Does not articulate with any other bone
What is the usual mechanism of hyoid fracture?
Strangulation
What is the function of the hyoid?
Provides attachment for anterior neck muscles
Holds airway open
What is a possible complication of hyoid fracture?
Difficulty maintaining separation of respiratory and alimentary tracts when swallowing, leading to increased risk of aspiration pneumonia
What is the vertebral level of the hard palate?
C1
What is the vertebral level of the lower border of the mandible?
C2-3
What is the vertebral level of the hyoid?
C3
What is the vertebral level of the cricoid?
C6
Six contents of the superficial cervical fascia
- Cutaneous nerves
- Bloods vessels
- Lymphatic vessels
- Superficial lymph nodes
- Fat
- Platysma
What are the three layers of the deep cervical fascia, from superficial to deep?
- Investing layer
- Pretracheal fascia
- Prevertebral fascia
What is the embryological origin of the platysma?
Arises from mesenchyme in the 2nd pharyngeal arch
Where does the platysma arise and insert?
Fibres arise from deep fascia of upper parts of pectoralis major and deltoid, and run to inferior border of mandible
Diverge inferior to chin, leaving gap anterior to larynx and trachea
Which neurovascular structures are deep to the platysma in the superficial cervical fascia?
Main cutaneous nerves
External and anterior jugular
Describe the course of anterior jugular vein
Commences beneath the chin, continues down to suprasternal region then pierces deep fascia and lies in suprasternal space (often connected by short anastomotic vein)
Describe the motor and sensory nerve supply of the platysma
Motor supply from cervical branch of facial nerve
Sensory (proprioceptive) fibres run with transverse cervical nerve
What are the actions of the platysma?
Muscle of facial expression (tension, stress)
May help open mouth
What is the clinical presentation of platysma muscle paralysis?
Due to palsy of cervical branch of facial nerve
Skin falls away from neck in slack folds
Where does the investing layer of the deep cervical fascia split and why?
Splits at all four corners into superficial and deep layers to enclose sternocleidomastoid (anterolaterally) and trapezius (posterolaterally)
Six superior attachments of the investing layer of the deep cervical fascia
- Superior nuchal line of occipital bone
- Mastoid processes
- Zygomatic arches
- Inferior border of mandible
- Hyoid bone
- Spinous processes of cervical vertebrae
Three inferior attachments of the investing layer of the deep cervical fascia
- Manubrium
- Clavicles
- Acromions and spines of scapulae
Where does the investing layer of the deep cervical fascia split? What extensions does it have?
Inferior to mandible to enclose submandibular gland
Posterior to mandible to enclose parotid gland
Superior to manubrium to enclose sternocleidomastoid (forms suprasternal space)
Extends as stylomandibular ligament
How is the suprasternal space formed and what does it contain?
Between layers of the investing layer of deep cervical fascia as it splits to enclose sternocleidomastoid: superficial layer attaches to anterior manubrium, deep layer to posterior manubrium, forming suprasternal space
Contains anterior jugular veins, jugular venous arch, fat, and few deep lymph nodes
What are the two parts of the pretracheal fascia and what does each enclose?
Muscular part: encloses infrahyoid muscles (sternothyroid, sternohyoid, omohyoid)
Visceral part: encloses thyroid gland, trachea, oesophagus
What is the visceral part of the pretracheal fascia continuous with?
Superiorly and posteriorly with buccopharyngeal fascia