clinical anatomy of airways

Question 1

which area of the neck does the hyloid bone sit in

Answer 1

anterior triangle

Question 2

what happens to a thyroglossal cyst on swallowing

Answer 2

it moves with the swallow (and with tongue protrusion)

Question 3

what is a branchial cyst

Answer 3

a lump that develops in the neck or just below the collarbone

Question 4

if presenting w a branchial cyst, what pts require futher investigation and why

Answer 4

those >40 and smokers require a PET scan -> metastatic SCC may masquerade as branchial cyst

Question 5

6 red flags for head/neck lumps

Answer 5

1. painful mass
2. rapidly increasing mass
3. CN VII weakness
4. lymph nodes
5. paraesthesia
6. trismus

Question 6

what does bilateral parotid swelling indicate

Answer 6

systemic cause e.g. infection, autoimmune disease

Question 7

5 red flags for thyroid cancer

Answer 7

1. FH
2. exposure to radiation
3. <20 yr or >70 yro
4. vocal chord palsy
5. male

Question 8

how to distinguish a lymphangioma on examination

Answer 8

transillumination

Question 9

treatment options for head/neck cancers

Answer 9

1. surgery
2. radiotherapy
3. chemo - never alone, always in combination with one of the others

Question 10

what are the important blood vessels in the neck

Answer 10

carotid artery - ineral and external
internal jugular vein (runs in carotid sheath)

Question 11

boarders of the anterior triangle

Answer 11

anterior border of the sternocleidomastoid muscle and the midline of the neck

Question 12

boarders of the posterior triangle

Answer 12

posterior border of the sternocleidomastoid, anterior border of the trapezius muscle, middle 1/3 of the clavicle