CATA: Head & Neck

Question 1

Suboccipital triangle boarders, roof and floor? Three contents

Answer 1

Superomedial: Rectus capitus posterior major
Superolateral: Obliquus capitus superior
Inferior: Obliquus capitus inferior
Floor: Posterior atlanto-occiptal membrane and posterior arch of the C1
vertebrae (atlas) Roof: Semispinalis capitus

Three contents

1. vertebral artery
2. suboccipital venous plexus
3. suboccipital nerve

Question 2

Accessory muscles of respiration? Why are they important to those w/
respiratory problems?

Answer 2

Scalenes
scalene muscles collectively act to elevate the first and second ribs, and in
doing so they increase the intrathoracic volume. In patients with
respiratory distress, the scalene muscles may be used as ‘accessory
muscles of respiration’ to aid with breathing.

Question 3

40% of the fractures of the axis, and are most commonly caused by traffic
collisions and falls What makes this fracture dangerous?

Answer 3

Dens fracture Its an unstable fracture at high risk of avascular necrosis,
due to the isolation of the distal fragment from any blood supply

Question 4

Hangman’s Fracture Where is the name from? Why is it dangerous?

Answer 4

Fracture of the pars interarticularis, (bony column b/w the superior and
inferior articular facets of the axis)
-The mechanism by which it is most created- result of sudden deceleration
that occurs in hanging
- lethal b/c either the fracture fragments or the force involved are likely to
rupture the spinal cord, causing deep unconsciousness, respiratory and
cardiac failure, and death

Question 5

Jefferson Fracture? Mechanism?

Answer 5

Fracture of the atlas anterior/posterior arches
A vertical fall onto an extended neck (ex: diving into excessively shallow
water can compress the lateral masses of the atlas between the occipital
condyles and the axis)

Question 6

Hyoid bone characteristically associated with what mechanism? Hyoid
protected by?

Answer 6

Stangulation (also can occur due to trauma)

Mandible

Question 7

what ligament is damages in whiplash injury?

Answer 7

anterior longitudinal ligament (hyper extension injury)

Question 8

Why do adenoid tonsils become enlarged? What happens because of
enlargement?

Answer 8

-Viral infections of the upper respiratory tract
-glue ear (Condition, the static fluid and negative pressure in the middle
ear provide the ideal environment for infection)
-Due to obstruct the opening of the Eustachian tube
-Prevents the equalizing of pressure in the middle ear with the
atmosphere and normal drainage of fluid

Question 9

Erb’s point

Answer 9

Auscultatory (heart sounds) area in the 3rd left intercostal space and
lower sternal boarder

Question 10

What level of the spine does the suboccipital nerve stem from?

Answer 10

C1

Question 11

Where does the stylohyoid nerve stem from

Answer 11

Facial nerve (VII)

Question 12

What muscle initiates swallowing?

Answer 12

Stylohyoid

Question 13

Where does the phrenic nerve stem from?

Answer 13

C3-5

Question 14

Cervical plexus location

Answer 14

Posterior triangle (halfway up SCM)