anatomy of neck Flashcards
how can the neck be divided?
anterior and posterior triangles
what muscle separates the anterior and posterior triangles?
sternocleidomastoid
what is the posterior triangle of the neck bound by?
- Posterior border of the sternocleidomastoid (SCM)
- Anterior border of trapezius
- Middle 1/3 of the clavicle.
what are the important structures in the posterior triangle of the neck?
spinal accessory nerve external jugular nerve lymph nodes part of the subclavian artery Brachial plexus, cervical plexus, phrenic nerve
what does the spinal accessory nerve innervate?
SCM and trapezius
how can the prominence of the external jugular vein be used?
as an internal barometer
helps assess mean right atrial pressure - nearly identical to central venous pressure
where can EJV be seen?
above the clavicle for a short distance
what happens to the EJV when venous pressure is raised?
becomes more prominent
what causes the EJV to become more prominent?
increased intra-thoracic pressure, SVC obstruction, enlarged supraclavicular lymph nodes, heart failure, gym
what is mean right atrial pressure identical to?
central venous pressure
what fibres innervate SCM and trapezius?
somatic motor fibres
what spinal cord rootlets does the spinal accessory nerve form from?
C1-C5
describe the passage of the spinal accessory nerve?
ascends into the cranial cavity through the foramen magnum with the spinal cord
exits through the jugular foramen and becomes spinal accessory
what type of course does the spinal accessory nerve have?
subcutaneous
how can you injure the spinal accessory nerve?
lymph node surgery to the neck near SCM
what does spinal accessory nerve injury lead to?
atrophy of trapezius, drooping of shoulder, weakened shrugging shoulder
what spinal nerves does the cervical plexus arise from?
C1-C4
where do the cutaneous branches of the cervical plexus arise?
around the middle of the posterior border of the SCM
what are the 2 main branches of the cervical plexus?
phrenic nerve
ansa cervicalis
what are the roots of the phrenic nerve?
C3 and C4 and they pick up additional C5 roots
where does the phrenic nerve descend?
obliquely with IJV across anterior scalene.
where does the ansa cervicalis run?
motor loop to infrahyoid muscles
what are the borders of the anterior triangle of the neck?
- Midline of neck from chin to jugular notch.
- Anterior border of SCM
- Lower border of mandible and beyond to mastoid process.