Head and neck gross anatomy 1: Front of neck

Question 1

What are the boundaries of the posterior triangle?

Answer 1

Anterior -sternocleidomastoid
Posterior - trapezius
Superior - mastoid process
Inferior - Clavicle

Question 2

What might be the consequences of a stab wound to the posterior triangle?

Answer 2

Pneumothorax
Injury to the internal jugular vein (runs behind sternocleidomastoid
Injury to the brachial plexus - arm hangs by side, elbow cannot flex, arm medially rotated, forearm pronated in ‘waiters tip’ position.

Question 3

Which neck muscles are supplied by the accessory nerve (CNXI)?

Answer 3

Sternocleidomastoid and trapezius

Question 4

What are the boundaries of the anterior triangle?

Answer 4

Superior - mandible
Inferior - clavicle
Anterior - ?skin
Posterior - sternocleidomastoid

Question 5

What are the surface markings of the external jugular vein?

Answer 5

Earlobe -> sternocleidomastoid -> clavicular head -> sternal head -> mid clavicle

Question 6

What, in general, is the function of the sternohyoid and omohyoid muscles?

Answer 6

Stabilising hyoid and swallowing.

Question 7

What is the nerve supply to sternohyoid and omohyoid?

Answer 7

C1-3 by a branch of ansa cervicalis.

Question 8

What are the attachments of the two bellies of the digastric muscle?

Answer 8

Anterior, origin - digastric fossa on lower inside of mandible
Anterior, insertion - attachment of tendon between two bellies
Posterior, origin - mastoid notch on medial side of mastoid process of temporal bone

Question 9

What is the function of the digastric muscle?

Answer 9

Anterior - Opens mouth by lowering mandible, raises hyoid bone
Posterior - raises hyoid bone

Question 10

What are the surface landmarks of the internal jugular vein?

Answer 10

Earlobe to sternoclavicular joint.

Question 11

From which nerve(s) do the roots of ansa cervicalis take origin?

Answer 11

Cervical plexus and C2-3

Question 12

At which vertebral level does the carotid bifurcation lie?

Answer 12

C4

Question 13

Which laryngeal landmark lies at the level of the carotid bifurcation?

Answer 13

Thyroid cartilage

Question 14

Name the other function of the larynx in addition to its role in phonation?

Answer 14

Protection of the lower airway

Question 15

Define the term intrinsic muscle of the larynx.

Answer 15

Those responsible for controlling sound phonation.

Question 16

Which nerve supplies the instrinsic muscles of the larynx?

Answer 16

Reccurant laryngeal innervates all but the cricothyroid which is innervated by the superior laryngeal.

Question 17

Which cranial nerve supplies the orbicularis oris?

Answer 17

Buccal branch of facial nerve (VII).

Question 18

Which cranial nerve provides the motor supply to the tongue?

Answer 18

Hypoglossal (XII)

Question 19

Where does the external laryngeal nerve enter the larynx?

Answer 19

Descends on the larynx beneath the sternohyoid muscle to supply the cricothyroid muscle.

Question 20

Where does the left recurrent laryngeal nerve arise.

Answer 20

Loops under the arch of the aorta.

Question 21

Through which foramen does the vagus nerve exit the skull and which nerves accompany it?

Answer 21

Jugular foramen - glossopharyngeal (IX) and accessory (XI)

Question 22

What are the three subdivisions of the pharynx and the structures the separate them?

Answer 22

Nasopharynx - base of skull to soft palate
Oropharynx - soft palate to epiglottis
Laryngopharynx - epiglottis to oesophagus

Question 23

Which group of muscles is involved in the voluntary phase of swallowing?

Answer 23

Superior longitudinal muscle elevates the apex of the tongue to make contact with the hard palate.

Question 24

What is the nerve supply to the voluntary swallowing muscles?

Answer 24

Hypoglossal (XII)

Question 25

Which cranial nerve supplies sensory fibres to the posterior 1/3rd of the tongue and the oropharynx?

Answer 25

Glossopharyngeal (IX)

Question 26

Why is the soft palate tense and elevated during swallowing?

Answer 26

To occlude the nasopharynx

Question 27

Aside from the hyoid bone, which other laryngeal structures help to close off the laryngeal inlet during swallowing?

Answer 27

True vocal fold closure

Adduction of the aryepiglottic folds