Assessment of the Head and Neck Flashcards
What are the 12 Cranial Nerves?
- Olfactory (I) – Responsible for the sense of smell.
- Optic (II) – Responsible for vision.
- Oculomotor (III) – Controls most eye movements, pupil constriction, and eyelid elevation.
- Trochlear (IV) – Controls the superior oblique muscle, which moves the eye downward and inward.
- Trigeminal (V) – Responsible for facial sensation and chewing movements.
- Abducens (VI) – Controls the lateral rectus muscle, which moves the eye laterally.
- Facial (VII) – Controls facial expressions, taste on the anterior two-thirds of the tongue, and lacrimal & salivary glands.
- Vestibulocochlear (VIII) – Responsible for hearing and balance.
- Glossopharyngeal (IX) – Controls taste on the posterior third of the tongue, swallowing, and salivation.
- Vagus (X) – Regulates autonomic functions, including heart rate, digestion, and speech.
- Accessory (XI) – Controls the sternocleidomastoid and trapezius muscles, aiding in head and shoulder movements.
- Hypoglossal (XII) – Controls tongue movements for speech and swallowing.
How many Cranial Bones do we have and identify them?
8 CRANIAL BONES
- Frontal (1)
- Sphenoid (1)
- Ethmoid (1)
- Parietal (2)
- Temporal (2)
- Occipital (1)
How many facial bones do we have and identify them?
14 FACIAL BONES
- Nasal (2)
- Lacrimal (2)
- Inferior nasal concha (2)
- Maxilla (2)
- Mandible (1)
- Palatine (2)
- Zygomatic (2)
- Vomer (1)
What are the 3 Major Salivary Glands?
- Parotid gland - Largest and located in front of and below the ear.
- Submandibular gland - Located under the jaw.
- Sublingual gland - Smallest and located under the tongue.
WHAT PART OF THE BODY IS THIS?
- Structure composed of muscles and ligaments and cervical vertebrae.
- Contained are hyoid bones, several major blood vessels, the larynx, trachea and the thyroid gland.
The NECK
What are the 2 paired muscles that allow movement and provide support to the head and neck?
Sternocleidomastoid and trapezius muscles
What are the 2 Blood Vessels that are located bilaterally, parallel and anterior to the sternomastoid muscles?
Internal jugular veins and carotid arteries
What blood vessels should we avoid compressing when assessing the neck?
Carotid arteries
WHAT IS THIS?
- The largest endocrine gland in the body.
- It produces thyroid hormones that increase the metabolic rate of most body cells.
- It has two lateral lobes that curve posteriorly on both sides of the trachea.
Thyroid gland
WHAT IS THIS?
- Filter lymph, removes bacteria and tumor cells from lymph.
- Produce lymphocytes and antibodies as a defense against invasion by foreign substances.
Lymph nodes
THE FF ARE UNDER WHAT?
- Inspect the overall appearance of the face (are the eyes and ears at the same level)?
- Is the head an appropriate size for the body?
- Is the face symmetrical? No drooping of the face on one side (eyes or lips).
- Are the facial expressions symmetrical (no involuntary movements)?
- Any lesions?
A. Inspect the face and hair
B. Palpate the cranium and inspect the hair for infestations, hair loss, skin breakdown or abnormalities
C. Palpate the temporal artery bilaterally.
A. Inspect the face and hair
What cranial nerve do we test in inspecting the face?
Cranial Nerve VII - Facial Nerve
THE FF ARE UNDER WHAT?
- Palpate for any masses or indentations.
- Skin breakdown (especially on the back of the head in immobile patients)?
- Inspect the hair for any infestations: lice, alopecia areata (round abrupt balding in patches), nevus on the scalp etc.
- Inspect for quantity, texture, and distribution of the hair.
A. Inspect the face and hair
B. Palpate the cranium and inspect the hair for infestations, hair loss, skin breakdown or abnormalities
C. Palpate the temporal artery bilaterally.
B. Palpate the cranium and inspect the hair for infestations, hair loss, skin breakdown or abnormalities
In Palpating the temporal artery bilaterally, the ff are done to test what cranial nerve?
- Have the patient bite down and feel the masseter muscle and temporal muscle.
- Then have the patient try to open the mouth against resistance.
Cranial Nerve V - Trigeminal Nerve
Why do we need to palpate the temporomandibular joint?
To check if there is grating or clicking sound.
Why do we need to palpate the frontal and maxillary sinuses?
To check for any tenderness
FAMILIARIZE ONLY!
STUDY THE NORMAL FINDINGS OF THE FF
- Skull
- Scalp
- Hair
- Face
FAMILIARIZE ONLY!
“NECK INSPECTION AND PALPATION”
- Inspect the trachea
- Test cranial nerve XI - Accessory Nerve
- Inspect for jugular vein distention
- Palpate the lymph nodes
- Palpate the trachea
- Palpate thyroid gland
- Palpate the carotid artery
- Auscultate for bruits at the carotid artery
FAMILIARIZE ONLY!
Study the FF
- Anterior Approach on the Neck
- Posterior Approach on the Neck
- Normal Findings on the neck
