Anatomy and Physiology of the Neck Flashcards
What are the anatomical contents of the neck?
Arteries Veins Nerves Lymph nodes Lymphatic channels Thyroid gland Parathyroid gland Muscles Trachea
What is the superior border of the neck?
Mandible
What is the inferior border of the neck?
Clavicle
What is the anterior border of the neck?
Anterior midline
What is the posterior border of the neck?
Trapezius
What triangles are found in the neck?
Anterior triangle
Posterior triangle
Anterior border of the anterior triangle
Midline of the neck
Posterior border of the anterior triangle
Anterior border of sternocleidomastoid
Anterior border of the posterior triangle
Posterior border of the sternocleidomastoid
Posterior border of the posterior triangle
Anterior border of the trapezius
Contents of the anterior triangle
Common carotid artery External carotid artery Facial artery Hypoglossal nerves Vagus nerves Glossopharyngeal nerves Submandibular nodes Submental nodes Internal carotid artery Internal jugular vein Facial vein Accessory veins Laryngeal veins
Contents of the posterior triangle
Accessory nerve Occipital artery Lymph nodes Cervical nerve plexus External jugular vein
What level do the common carotid arteries divide?
C4
Branches of the external carotid artery in the neck
Superior thyroid Ascending pharyngeal Lingual Occipital Facial Posterior auricular Maxillary Superficial temporal
Indications for central lines
Central venous pressure Drug administration Cardiac pacing Blood sampling Fluid resuscitation Haemodialysis IV nutrition
Complications of central lines
Pneumothorax Haematoma Cardiac tamponade Air embolism Chylothorax False passage Thrombosis Sepsis Line blockage
What are the 4 fascia of the neck?
Pre-tracheal
Pre-vertebral
Deep cervical
Carotid sheath
Anatomy of thyroid gland
2 lobes
Isthmus
What type of gland is the thyroid gland?
Endocrine
What hormones does the thyroid gland produce?
Thyroid hormones
Calcitonin
Function of calcitonin
Lower calcium
Raise phosphate
Movement of the thyroid with swallowing. Why?
Moves with swallowing
It is attached to the laryngeal framework
What is a thyroglossal cyst?
Dilatation of thyroglossal duct remnant
Where is a thyroglossal cyst found?
Midline of neck
What happens to a thyroglossal cyst as age increases?
It grows
When does a thyroglossal cyst move?
With tongue protrusion
What needs to be done before a thyroglossal cyst is removed? Why?
USS
To ensure functioning thyroid tissue elsewhere
Types of thyroid mass
Solitary nodule
Diffuse enlargement
Multi nodular goitre
Causes of a solitary thyroid nodule
Cyst Adenoma Carcinoma Lymphoma Prominent nodule in a multi nodular goitre
Which gender gets more solitary thyroid nodules?
F
What age gets solitary thyroid nodules?
30 - 40 y/o
What is a red flag symptom for neck lump history?
Pain
Investigations of a solitary thyroid nodule
FNAC
USS
What can FNAC not distinguish between?
Follicular adenoma and follicular carcinoma
THY classification of solitary thyroid nodules
Type 1 - not diagnostic, not enough thyroid tissue
Type 2 - normal
Type 3 - Borderline, not sure about malignant potential
- adenoma
- carcinoma
Type 4 - concerning, most likely cancer
Type 5 - cancer
Types of thyroid cancer
Papillary
Follicular
Medullary
Anaplastic
Causes of diffuse thyroid enlargement
Colloid goitre due to
- gland hyperplasia
- iodine deficiency
- puberty
- pregnancy
- lactation
- graves disease
- thyroiditis