Head and neck

Question 1

Facial Structures

Answer 1

• Normally symmetrical:
  o Eyebrows, eyes, ears, nose, and mouth align symmetrically on both sides.

Question 2

Pharynx and Epiglottis

Answer 2

• Pharynx: Connects nasal cavity to esophagus; important in digestion and respiration.
• Epiglottis: Prevents food from entering the trachea during swallowing.

Question 3

Parotid Gland

Answer 3

• Location: In cheeks, over mandible, anterior to and below the ear.
• Features: Largest salivary glands, not normally palpable.

Question 4

Neck Anatomy

Answer 4

• Acts as a conduit for vessels, muscles, nerves, lymphatics, and viscera (respiratory and digestive systems).
• Blood Vessels: Includes common and internal carotid arteries and veins.

Question 5

Key Structures of the Neck

Answer 5

• Trachea and larynx: Vital for airway and voice production.
• Thyroid Gland:
  o Synthesizes thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3) for metabolism.
  o Located above cricoid cartilage with palpable “Adam’s apple” in men.
• Temporomandibular Joint: Connects jawbone to skull; allows jaw movements.
• Sternomastoid Muscle:
  o Enables head rotation and flexion.
  o Innervated by cranial nerve XI (spinal accessory nerve).

Question 6

Head and Neck Assessment

Answer 6

• Inspect Neck: Symmetry, lumps, pulsations.
• Palpate:
  o Lymph nodes for enlargement.
  o Carotid pulse (one side at a time).
  o Trachea alignment and thyroid gland (using water for swallowing).
• ROM Tests: Head forward, back, side-to-side, shrug shoulders (with/without resistance).

Question 7

Consensual Light Reflex

Answer 7

• Definition: Both pupils constrict when one eye is exposed to bright light.
• Reason:
  o The optic nerve transmits the light stimulus from one eye to the brain.
  o At the optic chiasm, the signal synapses with both sides of the brain.
  o This triggers a reflexive response in both pupils.

Question 8

Direct Light Reflex

Answer 8

• Definition: Constriction of the pupil in the same eye exposed to light.

Question 9

Fixation Reflex

Answer 9

• Definition: Eye’s ability to focus and fixate on a stationary object.
• Effect of Fatigue: Fatigue can weaken this reflex, reducing focus stability.

Question 10

Accommodation

Answer 10

• Definition: Adjustment of the eye for near vision.
• Reason:
  o Pupils constrict to increase the curvature of the lens, allowing for sharper focus on close objects.

Question 11

Extraocular Muscles

Answer 11

• Function: Six muscles attach the eyeball to the orbit and control its movements.
• Purpose: Direct the eyes to points of interest, ensuring coordinated and precise movements.

Question 12

Common Headache Types

Answer 12

1. Tension Headache
   o Symptoms: Dull, pressure-like pain; tight neck/scalp.
   o Triggers: Stress, fatigue, poor posture.
   o Duration: 30 minutes to chronic.
2. Migraine
   o Symptoms: Intense throbbing pain, photophobia, nausea, aura.
   o Triggers: Hormonal changes, certain foods, stress.
   o Duration: 4–72 hours.
3. Cluster Headache
   o Symptoms: Sharp pain around one eye, tearing, nasal congestion.
   o Triggers: Alcohol, sleep changes, seasonal shifts.
   o Duration: 15 minutes to 3 hours, cyclic attacks.

Question 13

Inclusive Practice

Answer 13

• Recognize natural anatomical variations as normal, not pathological.

Question 14

Fatigue and Reflexes

Answer 14

• Fatigue may affect fixation reflex.

Question 15

Computed Tomography (CT)

Answer 15

• Purpose: Provides detailed cross-sectional images of head and neck structures.
• Common Uses:
  o Evaluating brain injuries, skull fractures, and abnormalities.
  o Diagnosing tumors, bleeding, or infections.
• Advantages: Quick, widely available, and detailed for bone and tissue imaging.
• Limitations: Exposure to ionizing radiation.

Question 16

Ultrasound

Answer 16

• Purpose: Uses sound waves to create real-time images of soft tissues.
• Common Uses:
  o Detecting blood flow in vessels (e.g., carotid artery).
  o Assessing thyroid gland and neck masses.
• Advantages: Non-invasive, radiation-free, and safe for repeated use.
• Limitations: Limited detail for deeper or bony structures.

Question 17

Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)

Answer 17

• Purpose: Produces detailed images using magnetic fields and radio waves.
• Common Uses:
  o Identifying brain and spinal cord abnormalities.
  o Diagnosing tumors, stroke, or nerve issues.
• Advantages: Superior soft tissue imaging without radiation.
• Limitations: Time-consuming, costly, and may be unsuitable for patients with metal implants.

Question 18

X-Ray (Radiography)

Answer 18

• Purpose: Captures images of dense structures like bones.
• Common Uses:
  o Identifying fractures, bone abnormalities, and alignment issues.
  o Visualizing skull and spine.
• Advantages: Quick, cost-effective, and useful for initial assessments.
• Limitations: Lower soft tissue detail; uses ionizing radiation.