GL 3: Posterior Triangle of the Neck Flashcards
T or F: The sternocleidomastoid divides the neck into right and left triangles
False. It divides the neck into anterior and posterior triangles
What is the inferior part of the triangle of the neck?
The Clavicle
What makes up the muscular floor?
Splenius capitis
Levator scapulae
Scalene muscles
Triangles of the neck: What are the boundaries of the occipital triangle?
Sternocleidomastoid
Trapezius
Inferior belly of the omohyoid
Triangles of the neck: What are the 3 major contents of the occipital triangle?
Occipital artery
Spinal accessory nerve
Brachial plexus
Triangles of the neck: What are the boundaries of the Supraclavicular/Subclavian/Omoclavicular triangle?
Sternocleidomastoid
Inferior belly of the omohyoid
Clavicle
Triangles of the neck: What is the major content of the occipital triangle?
Subclavian artery
OINA of the Sternocleidomastoid
O: Manubrium sterni, clavicle (medial third)
I: Mastoid process of occipital bone
N: Spinal part of the accessory nerve
A: Extend head and flex neck; rotates the head to the opposite side
OINA of the Trapezius
O: Occipital bone, ligamentum nuchae, and spines of C7 and all thoracic vertebre
I: Continuous insertion alone acromion and spine of the scapula and lateral third clavicle
N: CN XI (accessory nerve); C3-C4
A: Stabilizes, elevates, retracts, and rotates scapula
OINA of the Scalenus Anterior
O: Transverse process of C3-C6
I: 1st rib
N: C4-C6
A: Elevate 1st rib during inspiration, lateral flexion and rotation of the cervical part of the vertebral column
What is the key muscle in understanding the root of the neck?
Scalenus Anterior
What makes up the Interscalene triangle?
Scalenus anterior
Medius muscles
1st rib from a triangular gap
What 2 structures pass through the Interscalene triangle?
Subclavian artery
Roots of the Brachial Plexus
What divides the subclavian artery into 3 parts?
Scalenus Anterior
What 4 neurovascular structures are anterior to the Scalenus Anterior?
Carotid sheath and contents (CCA, IJV, CN X)
Transverse cervical artery
Suprascapular artery
Phrenic nerve
What 4 neurovascular structures are posterior to the Scalenus Anterior?
Cervical pleura
Origin of the Brachial Plexus
2nd part of the Subclavian artery
Scalenus medius
What 3 neurovascular structures are medial to the Scalenus Anterior?
Vertebral vessels
Sympathetic trunk
Left Thoracic duct
What 3 neurovascular structures are lateral to the Scalenus Anterior?
Branches of the cervical plexus
Roots of the brachial plexus
3rd part of the subclavian artery
OINA of the Scalenus Medius
O: Transverse process of the C1-C6
I: 1st rib
N: Anterior rami of cervical nerves
A: Elevation of 1st rib; lateral flexion; rotation oof the cervical part of the vertebral column
OINA of the Scalenus Posterior
O: Transverse processes of C4-C6
I: 2nd rib
N: Anterior rami cervical nerves
A: Elevates 2nd rib; laterally flexes; rotates cervical part of the vertebral column
OINA of the Levator Scapula
O: Transverse processes of C1-C4
I: Medial border of the scapula
N: Ventral primary rami (C3-C4); dorsal scapular nerve
A: Raises medial border of the scapula; bends neck laterally
OINA of the Splenius Capitis
O: Ligamentum nuchae; Upper 4 thoracic spines
I: Superior nuchal line of the occipital bone
N: Dorsal primary rami of the spinal nerve
A: Bends neck laterally; elevates medial border of the scapula
What is formed by the anterior rami of the first 4 cervical spinal nerves (C1-C4)?
Cervical Plexus
Where is the cervical plexus formed?
In front of the origin of the Levator scapulae and Scalenus medius muscle
What is the cervical plexus covered in and related to?
Covered in prevertebral layer of deep cervical fascia
Related to the internal jugular vein within the carotid sheath
What are the 4 sensory branches of the cervical plexus?
Lesser occipital (C2) Greater auricular (C2-C3) Transverse cervical (C2-C3) Supraclavicular (C3-C4)
What are the 3 motor (muscular) branches of the cervical plexus?
Proprioceptive (C2-C3)
C3-C4
Proprioceptive (C3-C4)
What is the mixed branch of the cervical plexus?
Phrenic (C3-C5)
What is the distribution of the Lesser Occipital (C2) branch of the cervical plexus?
Supplies the back of the scalp and auricle
What is the distribution of the Greater Auricular (C2-C3) branch of the cervical plexus?
Supplies the skin over the angle of the mandible
What is the distribution of the Transverse Cervical (C2-C3) branch of the cervical plexus?
Supplies skin over the front of the neck
What is the distribution of the Supraclavicular (C3-C4) branch of the cervical plexus?
Supplies the skin over the shoulder region
These nerves are important clinically because pain may be referred along them from the phrenic nerve (gallbladder disease)
The Supraclavicular branch of the cervical plexus
What is the distribution of the proprioceptive C2-C3 motor branch of the cervical plexus?
Supplies prevertebral muscles and sternocleidomastoid
What is the distribution of the C3-C4 motor branch of the cervical plexus?
Levator scapulae
What is the distribution of the proprioceptive C3-C4 motor branch of the cervical plexus?
Trapezius
T or F: A branch from C1 joins the hypoglossal nerve
True
What forms the Ansa Cervicalis?
Descending C1 branches that leave the hypoglossal nerve
Descending C2-C3 cervical nerve
What does the Ansa Cervicalis innervate?
Infrahyoid muscles: SOS
- Sternohyoid
- Omohyoid
- Sternothyroid
What is the distribution of the Phrenic C3-C5 mixed branch of the cervical plexus, the largest branch?
Diaphragm
What do the motor and sensory branches of the Phrenic nerve supply?
Motor: Diaphragm
Sensory: Pericardium, Medistinal Parietal Pleura, Pleura and Peritoneum covering the diaphragm
What forms the Brachial Plexus?
Anterior rami of C5-C8 and T1
What are the 4 general components of the Brachial Plexus?
(In order) Roots, trunks, divisions, and cords
What forms the upper trunk of the Brachial Plexus?
Roots of the C5-C6
What forms the middle trunk of the Brachial Plexus?
Root of C7
What forms the lower trunk of the Brachial Plexus?
Roots of the C8 and T1
Where are the roots and trunks of the Brachial Plexus located?
Posterior triangle of the neck
T or F: The roots of the Brachial Plexus enter the base of the neck between the Scalenus Anterior and the Scalenus Posterior
False. The roots of the Brachial Plexus enter the base of the neck between the Scalenus Anterior and the Scalenus Medius muscles
What forms the lateral cord of the Brachial Plexus?
Anterior divisions of the upper and middle trunk
What forms the medial cord of the Brachial Plexus?
Anterior divisions of the lower trunk
What forms the posterior cord of the Brachial Plexus?
Posterior divisions of all 3 trunks (upper, middle, lower)
Where are the cords of the Brachial Plexus located?
Axilla
How are cords classified?
Based on their relationship with the 2nd part of the axillary artery
Branches of the Brachial Plexus: What are the roots and distribution of the Dorsal Scapular Nerve?
C5
Rhomboid minor and major, Levator Scapulae muscles