Anatomy

Question 1

What vertebral levels is the thyroid gland at? Which tracheal rings does it cover?

Answer 1

C6-T1 Rings 1-3

Question 2

What lobes does the thyroid gland have?

Answer 2

Left + right lobes Some people have pyramidal lobe

Question 3

What connects the 2 lobes of the thyroid gland?

Answer 3

Isthmus

Question 4

Draw the arterial supply to the thyroid gland? What arteries supply it and where do they branch off?

Answer 4

L/R superior and inferior thyroid arteries

Superior = from external carotid

Inferior = from subclavian

Question 5

How is blood drained from the thyroid gland? Draw the veins surrounding the thyroid

Answer 5

Superior, middle and inferior thyroid veins

Sueprior + middle = into internal jugular vein

Inferior = into brachiocephalic vein

Question 6

What lymph nodes surround the thyroid gland?

Answer 6

Superior deep cervical, inferior deep cervical, paratracheal, pre-tracheal (singular node)

Question 7

What connects the pituitray gland to the hypothalamus?

Answer 7

Infundibulum / pituitary stalk

Question 8

Where does the pituitary gland sit?

Answer 8

Within the sella turcica of the sphenoid bone

Question 9

What are the 2 routes of pituitary surgery and how are these done?

Answer 9

Transsphenoidal = through the nose + sphenoid sinus (le fort I fracture)

Transcranial = under the frontal lobe (le fort III fracture)

Question 10

What are the contents of the cavernous sinus?

Answer 10

CNIII (oculomotor)

CNIV (trochlear)

CNV1 (ophthalmic)

CNV2 (maxillary)

CNVI (abducent)

Internal carotid artery

Question 11

What are the fascial compartments of the neck and what is contained within each?

Answer 11

Investing fascia: sternocleidomastoid, trapezius

Pre-tracheal fascia: oesophagus, trachea, thyroid, recurrent laryngeal nerve, strap muscles

Carotid sheaths: internal carotid artery, internal jugular vein, vagus nerve

Pre-vertebral fascia: vertebrea, postural muscles