Anatomy Lab- the neck

Question 1

what are the borders of the posterior triangle of the neck

Answer 1

Anterior – posterior border of the sternocleidomastoid.
Posterior – upper border of the trapezius muscle.
Inferior – middle 1/3 of the clavicle.

Question 2

The posterior triangle is further divided into 2 smaller triangles. Name the triangles and what divides it

Answer 2

Posterior triangle divided into 2 smaller triangles:
- occipital triangle
- supraclavicular triangle (smaller and close to clavicle)
divided by the omohyoid muscle

Question 3

Scalenous anterior runs mostly inferior to sternocleidomastoid muscle and runs to clavicle. what nerve and vein passes in front of scalenous anterior muscle

Answer 3

phrenic nerve

subclavian vein

Question 4

the space between scalenous anterior and medius is known as scalene hiatus. what is found in this space

Answer 4

Subclavian artery

Trunks of brachial plexus

Question 5

How does accessory nerve (CN XI) pass and relate it to injury and what muscles does it innervate

Answer 5

lies relatively superficially in the posterior triangle, leaving it vulnerable to injury- no shoulder movement
Pierces through sternocleidomastoid and trapezius muslce- innervating them both

Question 6

What is the function of the great auricular nerve (C2-C3 spinal nerve)

Answer 6

provides sensory innervation to the skin covering the

angle of mandible, parotid glands and earlobe

Question 7

What is the function of the transverse cervical nerve (C2-C3 spinal nerve)

Answer 7

provides sensory cutaneous innervation to the

antero-lateral neck

Question 8

what tiny arteries pass over scalenous anterior msucle

Answer 8

transverse cervical and suprascapular arteries

Question 9

what muscle of respiration does the phrenic nerve innervate

Answer 9

diaphragm

Question 10

What lymph nodes are found in the posterior triangle

Answer 10

• Superficial cervical nodes (found superiorly surrounding the accessory nerve)
• Suprascapular nodes (found inferiorly near the scalene hiatus)

Question 11

what is the root of the neck the junction between?

Answer 11

junction between the neck and chest

Question 12

What are the subclavian artery and Vein known as AFTER crossing the first rib

Answer 12

Axillary artery and vein

Question 13

what forms the inferior trunk of the brachial plexus

Answer 13

ventral rami of C8 and T1

Question 14

what forms the braciocephalic vein

Answer 14

subclavian vein and internal jugular vein

Question 15

what forms the braciocephalic artery

Answer 15

common carotid and subclavian artery

Question 16

what stellate is found in the root of neck region, how is it formed and function

Answer 16

• stellate of cervothoracic ganglion
• formed by the fusion of cervical and thoracic sympathetic ganglia
• provides sympathetic innervation to the head, neck and upepr extremity

Question 17

what part of the lung is part of the root of the neck

Answer 17

apex of the lung is part of the root of the neck

Question 18

what is the apex of the lung covered by

Answer 18

pleura

supraplural membrane

Question 19

How do C1 (atlas) and C2 (axis) bones articulate with each other and what possible movement is produced

Answer 19

Via Atlanto-axial joint is a pivot joint which allows head rotation and ability to say “no”

Question 20

Which one of C1 or C2 articulate with the skull and what movement is produced?

Answer 20

C1 (atlas)- forming atlanto-occipital joint which allows flexion and extension allowing you to say “ Yes”

Question 21

Why might osteoarthritis of the facet joints of the

cervical spine present as pain in the upper limb?

Answer 21

(cervical spondylosis): a type of arthritis that affects the
intervertebral disc of the neck causing it to lose water
leading to stiffness and bony spurs.
If the spinal nerves are pinched this leads to tingling and numbness of the arm.

Question 22

Where does the main neurovascular bundle of the neck lie relative to the organs? and name these vessels

Answer 22

Organs are placed anteriorly, so vessels lie in the posterior triangle of the neck.

• Subclavicular artery and vein
• common carotid artery
• internal and external carotid artery
• internal and external jugular vein.

Question 23

Where would an emergency airway be inserted?

Answer 23

cricothyroid cartilage

Question 24

How might the integrity of the accessory nerve be tested clinically?

Answer 24

Theaccessory nerveistestedby evaluating the function of the trapezius and sternocleidomastoid muscles, as it innerveates these muscles.

• trapezius muscle istestedby asking the patient to shrug their shoulders with and without resistance
• sternocleidomastoid tested by asking patient to turn head left and right against resistance

Question 25

How many cervical vertebrae are there and how

many cervical spine are there?

Answer 25

Cervical vertebrae- 7

cervical spinal nerves- 8

Question 26

what two ligaments that stabalise the upper cervical spine?

Answer 26

• Alar ligament

- Transverse ligament of the dens

Question 27

How might you distinguish between the external and internal carotid artery anatomically?

Answer 27

• Internal carotid artery is located posterior to external carotid
• Internal carotid has no branches and goes straight to cranium whereas external has branches
• lumen of internal carotid artery is larger than external.

Question 28

At what vertebral level does the trachea start and finish?

Answer 28

C6-T7

Question 29

Give two clinical conditions that may cause the external jugular vein to be distended?

Answer 29

Heart failure- where there is an increase of venous pressure (no venous return to the heart.)

A tumour that causes obstruction eg in the thoracic inlet compressing on the vein

Question 30

What is the thoracic duct and where does it usually terminate?

Answer 30

the largest lymphatic vessel of the lymphatic system of the body.
Terminates at subclavian vein

Question 31

what is the carotid sheath and what are its contents

Answer 31

fibrous connective tissue that surrounds the VASCULAR compartment of the neck
Contents:
- the common carotid artery as well as the internal carotid artery (medial)
- internal jugular vein (lateral)
- the vagus nerve (CN X) (posterior)
- the deep cervical lymph nodes

carotid artery lies medially to internal jugular vein and vagus nerve lies posteriorly to both (see pics)

Question 32

what is posterior to the carotid sheath

Answer 32

sympathetic trunk