Fascia of the neck Flashcards
What are the 2 main layers of fascia in the neck region
Superficial cervical fascia
Deep cervical fascia
What is the superficial cervical fascia
it is a subcutaneous connective tissue layer between the skin and investing layer of the deep cervical faascia
Where is the superficial cervical fascia thinner
it is thinner on the ant aspect of the neck where it houses the platysma
Contents of the superficial cervical fascia
neurovascular supply to the skin
external jugular vein
superficial lymph nodes
fat
platysma
Insertion of platysma
Lower border of the mandible
Origin of platysma
It originated from skin and infraclavicular and supraclavicular regions in both sides
Action of platysma
It depresses mandible and angle of mouth.
It also tenses skin of lower face and ant neck
Innervation of platysma
cervical branch of facial nerve
Arterial supply of platysma
submental artery
suprascapular artery
The deep cervical fascia is condensed to form
1.Investing layer
2 Pretracheal fascia
3 Prevertebral fascia
4 Carotid sheath
Which layer is the most superficial part of the deep cervical layer
Investing layer
Describe the investing layer
It lies deep to the platysma, and surrounds the neck like a collar
The investing layer splits into superficial and deep layers ant, post, lat on both sides to invest what
Muscles: Trapezius, sternocleidomastoid.
Glands: parotid and Submandibular.
Spaces: Suprasternal and supraclavicular
Superior attachments of investing layer
a. External occipital protuberance
b. Superior nuchal line
c. Mastoid process, styloid process
d. External acoustic meatus, tympanic plate
e. Base of the mandible
Inferior attachments of investing layer
a. spine of scapula.
b. Acromion process,
c. Clavicle
d. Manubrium
Anterior attachment of investing layer
a. Symphysis menti
b. Hyoid bone
Posterior attachment of investing layer
a. Ligamentum nuchae
b. Spine of seventh cervical vertebra
The pretracheal layer provides what
It provides a slippery surface for up and down gliding doing swallowing and neck movements
Pretracheal layer is named after what organ
Trachea
Importance of Pretracheal layer
it encloses and
suspends the thyroid gland and forms its false capsule
The pretracheal layer spans from where to where
it spans between the hyoid bone superiorly and the thorax inferiorly where it fuses with the fibrous pericardium of the heart
Laterally, the pretracheal layer is continuous with what
Carotid sheath
Posteriorly the pretracheal layer is continuous with what
buccopharyngeal fascia of the pharynx
The pretracheal layer consists of 2 parts, list them and what they enclose
Muscular part- encloses infrahyoid muscle.
Visceral part- encloses trachea, thyroid gland and oesophagus
Describe the prevertebral layer
It lies in front of the prevertebral muscles, and forms the floor of the posterior triangle of the neck
What does the prevertebral layer surrounds as it leaves the neck
It surrounds the brachial plexus as it leaves the neck and also the subclavian artery as it passes through the lower neck region
The prevertebral layer forms what sheath during its course
Axillary sheath
Ant attachment of prevertebral layer
transverse process and vertebral bodies of vertebral column
Post attachment of prevertebral layer
nuchal ligament of vertebral column
Sup attachment of prevertebral layer
base of the skull
Inf attachment of prevertebral layer
fuses with endothoracic fascia of ribcage
Describe the carotid sheath
It is a condensation of the fibroareolar tissue around
the main vessels of the neck.
What forms the carotid sheath
It is formed on anterior aspect by pretracheal fascia and on posterior aspect by prevertebral
fascia
Contents of carotid sheath
Common carotid artery- bifurcates into ECA and ICA
IJV
Vagus nerve
Deep cervical lymph nodes
Carotid periarterial plexuses
Post attachment of carotid sheath
continuous with prevertebral layer
Ant attachment of carotid sheath
blends with investing and pretracheal layers
Sup attachment of carotid sheath
communicates with cranial cavity
Inf attachment of carotid sheath
communicates freely with mediastinum of thorax
