head and neck anatomy

Question 1

what structures are included in the surface anatomy of the neck

Answer 1

• mandible
• hyoid bone
• thyroid cartilage
• cricoid cartilage
• trachea
• trapezius
• sternocleidomastoid
• clavicle
• suprasternal notch

Question 2

the skeletal component of neck is comprised of what three things

Answer 2

• cervical vertebrae
• hyoid bone
• laryngeal cartilages [thyroid and cricoid]

Question 3

what is the difference between cricoid cartilage and thyroid cartilage

Answer 3

• cricoid cartilage is a continuous ring of cartilage

- thyroid cartilage - not continuous - U shape

Question 4

what is a characteristic of hyoid bone

Answer 4

• does not articulate with bones - only attached to muscles and ligaments

Question 5

3 differences between cervical and thoracic vertebra

Answer 5

cervical has

• smaller body
• bifid spinous process
• transverse foramen [allowing transmission of blood vessels and nerves]

Question 6

cervical vertebrae 1

Answer 6

• known as atlas
• has no body
• articulates with occipital condyles on base of the skull allowing for nodding movements

Question 7

cervical vertebrae 2

Answer 7

• known as axis
• has a structure called dens which projects from the body upwards
• the anterior surface of dens articulates with posterior surface of arch of atlas
• allows for shaking movement

Question 8

what is platysma

Answer 8

• most superficial muscle lying below surface of skin and neck
• forms a flat sheet that attaches to inferior border of mandible and muscles around the mouth
• platysma is innervated by cervical branches of facial nerve
• tightens skins and depresses corners of the mouth

Question 9

where does sternocleidomastoid originate from

Answer 9

• head is at clavicle and sternum
• the two heads join and attach to the mastoid process
• if one muscle contracts head and neck bend to same side therefore face tilts upwards and opposite side
• if both muscles contract neck is flexed and head is extended

Question 10

where does the trapezius insert from and what is its function

Answer 10

• inserts from clavicle and parts of scapula

- used to shrug shoulders and raises scapula

Question 11

what cranial nerve is sternocleidomastoid and trapezius innervated by

Answer 11

• spinal accessory nerve [11]

Question 12

what structures form the posterior triangle

Answer 12

• sternocleidomastoid
• trapezius
• accessory nerve
• external jugular vein
• levator scapulae [elevates the scapula]

Question 13

what structures form the anterior triangle

Answer 13

• external jugular vein
• sternocleidomastoid
• trapezius
• hyoid bone
• suprahyoid muscles [superior to hyoid] - opposite to infra hyoid
• infra hyoid muscles [when contracts depresses hyoid bone and larynx]

Question 14

what is a cricothyrotomy and tracheostomy

Answer 14

• a small incision made through the skin and the cricothyroid membrane is located
• a small midline incision is made in the membrane and the tracheostomy tube is inserted
• a tracheostomy - surgical operation to keep airway open - tube inserted directly into trachea

Question 15

what is the clinical test, what do they supply [accessory nerves]

Answer 15

• they are motor nerves
• supplying the sternocleidomastoid and trapezius
• clinical test; turn head and shrug shoulders against resistance

Question 16

where do the accessory nerves enter and exit from

Answer 16

• the spinal part of the nerve originates from the upper 5 cervical segments and enters the cranium through the foramen magnum
• before the nerve leaves the cranium it is joined by fibres from the vagus nerve and leave the cranium through jugular foramen

Question 17

what is venous drainage and what is it done via

Answer 17

• it is where deoxygenated blood is drained

- drainage of head and neck via internal and external jugular veins

Question 18

internal jugular vein

Answer 18

• responsible for draining the brain and deeper structures of head and neck
• it leaves via jugular foramen and travels inferiorly within carotid sheath alongside internal carotid artery and vagus nerve
• along its way is receives facial, lingual, pharyngeal veins

Question 19

external jugular vein

Answer 19

• drains superficial extracranial structures

- travels superficial to sternocleidomastoid before emptying into subclavian vein

Question 20

what is carotid sheath made from and what does it contain

Answer 20

• connective tissue

- contains vagus nerve, internal jugular vein and common carotid artery

Question 21

what do the main arteries supplying head and neck branch from

Answer 21

• subclavian and

- common carotid

Question 22

the common carotid bifurcate in the neck forming what

Answer 22

• internal and external common carotid

Question 23

internal carotid artery

Answer 23

• has no branches

- travels adjacent to internal jugular vein within the carotid sheath towards cranium to supply head

Question 24

external carotid artery

Answer 24

• external to carotid sheath

- supplies tissues of head, neck and oral cavity

Question 25

what is the superior thyroid artery

Answer 25

- it is the first branch from external carotid artery | - supplies structures inc. thyroid gland, infra hyoid muscles, sternocleidomastoid and muscles of larynx

Question 26

what do the ascending pharyngeal arteries supply

Answer 26

- supplies pharyngeal walls and | - palatine tonsils

Question 27

what do lingual arteries supply

Answer 27

- supplies tongue, suprahyoid and floor of mouth

Question 28

what is the route of the facial artery

Answer 28

- arises from superior lingual artery - emerges on the face at inferior border of mandible, anterior to masseter muscle and then travels diagonally across the face to medial corner of the eye

Question 29

what arteries supply the posterior of the neck, scalp and behind the ears

Answer 29

- occipital | and posterior auricular arteries

Question 30

what are the two terminal branches of the external carotid arteries

Answer 30

- superficial temporary artery - smaller and branches to supply skin of scalp - maxillary artery - gives of 2 branches ; middle meningeal artery - supplies dura and skull ; inferior alveolar artery - supplying mandibular detention

Question 31

where do the inferior thyroid artery branch from and what do they supply

Answer 31

- branches from thyrocervical trunk | - supplies thyroid gland, larynx and trachea

Question 32

what does the vertebral artery branch from and what does it supply

Answer 32

- branches from subclavian artery - travels through neck via transverse foramen of cervical vertebrae and enters cranium via foramen magnum to supply brain