Exam 3 End of Head & Neck Pathology Flashcards
Branchial cleft cysts
Developmental remnants of the branchial clefts, they can become inflamed, they do NOT become malignant. Classical appearance is a lump between the angle of the jaw and the thyroid cartilage.
Thyroglossal duct cyst
Similar to branchial cleft cyst, but presents over the trachea superior to the thyroid and remnants of thyroid follicles will be in the wall of the cyst.
Carotid body
A little blob of tissue at the carotid sinus (the bulge that happens where the internal & external carotid bifurcation occurs, it has baroreceptors to sense the changes in BP).
The carotid BODY (blob of stuff at the carotid sinus) is sensitive to CO2, O2, pH, and temperature :)
Carotid Body Tumor
Tumors of the carotid body cells that appear as little round balls microscopically. “Zellballen” in German, meaning “balls of cells”
Tonsils
Many have them, some do not. They can be inflamed, with or without exudate.
Maxillary sinuses
Are involved in most cases of sinusitis. Nasal washes are “brutal” but they work, add baking soda to reduce nasal swelling.
Tympanic Membrane
Normal looks pearly/grey.
If perforated, do NOT use lidocane
If it’s red & pussy and pushed outward the middle ear is infected.
Sometimes the outer ear gets infected too, if you saw puss on the outside you’d know that was happening.
Epiglottitis
If untreated, this bacterial infection can narrow the airway, causing the “4 D’s”
- Dyspnea
- respiratory Distress
- Difficulty swallowing
- Drooling
Can kill children, thought to have killed George Washington.
Stridor
High pitched “musical” breath sound caused by turbulent airflow in the upper airway. Can hear it w/out stethoscope. 3 common causes:
- Airway swelling from Croup
- Epiglottitis
- Foreign bodies
Croup
Viral infection in children, causes stridor from inflamed upper airway. Known for the “seal-like” bark.
