Head and Neck Flashcards
Which major artery supplies blood to the head and neck?
The common carotid artery.
Into which vessels does the common carotid bifurcate?
Internal and external carotid arteries.
Which vein is a major venous return pathway from the head?
The internal jugular vein.
Where does the external carotid artery primarily supply?
The face and external structures of the head.
Which vein lies superficial to the sternocleidomastoid?
The external jugular vein.
What is the largest salivary gland?
The parotid gland.
Which salivary gland lies beneath the jaw angle?
The submandibular gland.
Which gland lies under the tongue?
The sublingual gland.
Which cranial nerve innervates the parotid gland?
Glossopharyngeal nerve (CN IX) via the otic ganglion.
Which duct drains the parotid gland into the oral cavity?
Stensen’s duct.
Which joint connects the jaw to the skull?
The temporomandibular joint (TMJ).
Which bone articulates with the temporal bone at the TMJ?
The mandible.
What type of joint is the TMJ?
A modified hinge joint.
Which cranial nerve provides sensory innervation to the TMJ?
The mandibular branch of the trigeminal nerve (CN V3).
What is a common symptom of TMJ dysfunction?
Jaw pain or clicking.
Which cranial nerve provides facial sensation?
The trigeminal nerve (CN V).
What are the three branches of the trigeminal nerve?
Ophthalmic (V1), maxillary (V2), and mandibular (V3).
Which branch of CN V provides sensation to the forehead?
The ophthalmic branch (V1).
Which branch of CN V supplies sensation to the upper jaw?
The maxillary branch (V2).
Which branch of CN V supplies sensation to the lower jaw?
The mandibular branch (V3).
What are the two main triangles of the neck?
The anterior and posterior triangles.
Which muscle divides the neck into these triangles?
The sternocleidomastoid muscle.
What major structure lies in the carotid triangle?
The carotid artery bifurcation.
Which triangle contains the cervical lymph nodes?
The anterior triangle (submandibular and carotid subdivisions).
Which nerve crosses the posterior triangle?
The accessory nerve (CN XI).
Where are superficial cervical lymph nodes located?
Along the external jugular vein.
Where are deep cervical lymph nodes found?
Along the internal jugular vein, deep to SCM.
Which nodes drain the scalp and face?
Superficial cervical lymph nodes.
Which nodes receive lymph from the tongue and floor of mouth?
Submandibular lymph nodes.
Why is palpation of cervical lymph nodes important?
They can indicate infection or malignancy.
What thin layers enclose and compartmentalize neck structures?
The cervical fascia.
What are the major fascial layers in the neck?
Superficial and deep cervical fascia.
Why are these fascial planes clinically significant?
They guide the spread of infections.
Which space in the neck can allow deep infections to travel to the mediastinum?
The retropharyngeal space.
Which fascia surrounds the thyroid gland?
The pretracheal fascia.
Which bone forms the forehead?
The frontal bone.
Which bones form the sides and roof of the skull?
The parietal bones.
Which bone forms the back and base of the skull?
The occipital bone.
Which bone is butterfly-shaped and houses the pituitary?
The sphenoid bone.
Which bone forms part of the base and lateral skull walls?
The temporal bone.
Which suture separates the frontal and parietal bones?
The coronal suture.
Which suture runs between the two parietal bones?
The sagittal suture.
Which suture separates the occipital from parietals?
The lambdoid suture.
Which large opening at the skull base transmits the spinal cord?
The foramen magnum.
Which opening in the sphenoid transmits the optic nerve?
The optic canal.
Which cranial nerve innervates muscles of facial expression?
The facial nerve (CN VII).
Which muscle closes the eyelids tightly?
The orbicularis oculi muscle.
Which muscle is the primary cheek muscle aiding in blowing?
The buccinator muscle.
Which muscle elevates the jaw for chewing?
The masseter muscle.
Which muscle raises the eyebrows and wrinkles the forehead?
The frontalis muscle.
Which muscle draws the mouth corners upward as in smiling?
The zygomaticus major muscle.
Which superficial neck muscle tenses the skin of the neck?
The platysma muscle.
What is the white outer layer of the eye called?
The sclera.
What transparent structure refracts light entering the eye?
The cornea.
Which layer contains rods and cones?
The retina.
Which cranial nerve carries visual information?
The optic nerve (CN II).
What muscles control eye movement in different directions?
The extraocular muscles.
What structure adjusts the lens shape for focusing?
The ciliary body.
Where in the retina is visual acuity highest?
The fovea.
Which muscle elevates the upper eyelid?
The levator palpebrae superioris.
What external structure collects and directs sound waves?
The auricle (pinna).
What membrane separates the outer and middle ear?
The tympanic membrane.
What are the three tiny bones in the middle ear called?
The malleus, incus, and stapes.
What spiral-shaped structure in the inner ear detects sound?
The cochlea.
Which cranial nerve transmits auditory signals?
The vestibulocochlear nerve (CN VIII).
What structures detect rotational movements of the head?
The semicircular canals.
Which tube connects the middle ear to the nasopharynx?
The Eustachian (auditory) tube.
Where is the thyroid gland located?
Anterior to the trachea.
Which artery supplies the upper thyroid region?
The superior thyroid artery.
How many parathyroid glands are typically present?
Usually four.
Where are the parathyroid glands located?
On the posterior thyroid surface.
What hormone do parathyroid glands secrete?
Parathyroid hormone (PTH).
Over which tracheal rings is the thyroid isthmus found?
Usually over rings 2-4.
What action helps palpate the thyroid?
Swallowing moves it up and down.
What is the upper part of the pharynx behind the nose?
The nasopharynx.
What structure prevents food from entering the airway?
The epiglottis.
What is the largest laryngeal cartilage?
The thyroid cartilage.
What structures produce sound in the larynx?
The vocal folds.
Which muscles rotate and flex the neck?
The sternocleidomastoid muscles.
Which muscle group elevates the hyoid during swallowing?
The suprahyoid muscles.
What nerve innervates most laryngeal muscles?
The recurrent laryngeal nerve.
Which part of the pharynx is common to food and air?
The oropharynx.
