anatomy of the neck

Question 1

C-spine features

Answer 1

C1 and C2 adapted for rotation
Transverse foramina for the
vertebral arteries

Question 2

pharynx

Answer 2

3 parts, each with its own
ʻconstrictorʼ muscle
● Nasopharynx
○ (behind the nasal cavity)
● Oropharynx
○ (behind the oral cavity)
● Laryngopharynx
○ (behind the larynx)
● All parts funnel food/secretions
into the oesophagus

Question 3

larynx

Answer 3

4 important ʻhardʼ structures:
● Hyoid bone (x1)
● Thyroid cartilage (x1)
● Cricoid cartilage (complete ring x1)
● Arytenoid cartilages (x2) attach to vocal cords

Vocal cords - like guitar strings,
attaching to the arytenoids
(back) and the thyroid cartilage
(front).

Question 4

nerve supply to larynx: what supplies it, which fibres and to what area?

Answer 4

superior laryngeal nerve -
sensory- internal larynx above cords, motor- cricothyroid muscle

inferior laryngeal nerve - sensory- Internal larynx
below the cords
motor- all other intrinsic muscle

Question 5

Cricothyrotomy

Answer 5

In situations where we are
unable to pass a tube into a
patientʼs trachea (intubate),
and there is no other way to
get oxygen in, a hole can be
made in the cricothyroid
membrane.

Question 6

thyroid gland

Answer 6

• Highly vascular
  ● Produces thyroxine
  ● Has 4 parathyroid glands
  stuck on the back
  ● Both glands regulate calcium
  ● Likes iodine…

Question 7

goitre

Answer 7

swelling of thyroid gland in neck, painless, The thyroid could be
overactive,
underactive, or
functioning normally

Question 8

glossophrangeal nerve (CN IX)

Answer 8

●Somatic sensory innervation of
the pharynx.
● Visceral sensory innervation of
the carotid sinus and body.
● Taste to posterior ⅓ of the
tongue.
● Secretomotor to the parotid
salivary gland.

Question 9

vagus nerve (X)

Answer 9

● Travels alongside the carotid
artery and internal jugular vein
inside the ʻcarotid sheathʼ.
● Controls the larynx.
● Carries parasympathetic fibres
to the thorax and abdomen.
● Choose the vagus nerve in any
MCQ where you donʼt know the
answer.

Question 10

accessory muscles

Answer 10

● Supplies 2 muscles with
motor innervation. Thatʼs it.
● Sternocleidomastoid and
Trapezius.
● Can be found underneath
sternocleidomastoid.

Question 11

central line - what is it? intp what blood vessel?

Answer 11

cannula or catheter most often, we put one in the internal jugular vein. This is done under ultrasound
guidance.