Fascial Layers/Posterior Triangle Flashcards
Which fascia layer is devoid of fat?
Deep
What are the three longitudinal compartments of the neck (often seen in cross-section)?
- Visceral (anterior)
- Vascular (one on each lateral side)
- Vertebral (posterior)
What is found in the visceral compartment of the neck?
Digestive and respiratory systems
What is found in the vascular compartment of the neck?
Major vessels and vagus nerve
What is found in the vertebral compartment of the neck?
Cervical vertebrae, spinal cord, cervical nerves and muscles
What is the most superficial fascia layer in the neck and what does it surround?
Investing fascia: trapezius, SCM, infrahyoid
What does the pretracheal fascia surround?
Thyroid, trachea, esophagus, posterior surface of infrahyoid
What does the buccophryngeal fascia surround?
Pharynx posteriorly
What does the alar fascia surround?
Anterior layer of prevertebral fascia and runs behind buccopharyngeal fascia
What does the prevertebral fascia surround?
Prevertebral and deep back muscles
What does the carotid sheath surround?
CCA, ICA, IJV, vagus nerve
What are the four fascial spaces?
- Carotid Sheath
- Pretracheal space
- Retropharyngeal Space
- Prevertebral space
Which space is also called the danger space? Why?
Prevertebral space. Infections can easily spread in this space because it spans all the way to the posterior mediastinum
How far inferiorly does the carotid sheath travel?
To the middle mediastinum
Where does the pretracheal space span from superior to inferior?
Thyroid cartilage to anterior mediastinum
What area does the retropharyngeal space span?
Skull to superior mediastinum
What are the three horizontal zones of the neck?
Zone 1: thoracic inlet -> cricoid cartilage
Zone 2: Cricoid cartilage -> angle of mandible
Zone 3: Angle of mandible -> base of skull
What are the boundaries of the posterior triangle?
Anterior: SCM
Posterior: Trapezius
Inferior: Clavicle
What are the contents of the posterior triangle?
- Platysma
- External jugular vein
- Cutaneous nerves (Erb’s Point)
- Motor nerves
- Transverse cervical and suprascapular arteries
- Deep muscles
Where do all of the cutaneous nerves in the posterior triangle arise from?
Erb’s Point
What are the four cutaneous nerves in the posterior triangle?
- Lesser Occipital
- Great auricular
- Transverse cervical
- Spraclavicular
What does the lesser occipital nerve supply and what is its general direction?
Skin of scalp at apex of triangle.
C2-C3. Runs superior from Erb’s point.
What does the great auricular nerve supply and what is its general direction?
Lobe and skin of posterior ear
C2-C3. Runs superiomedially
What does the transverse cervical nerve supply and what is its general direction?
Skin of anterior cervical triangle and lateral neck
C2-C3. Runs medially
