Head & Neck 3 - Neck Flashcards
what is the function of the transverse foramina of cervical vertebrae?
for the passage of vertebral arteries to the brain
special feature of spinous processes of typical cervical vertebrae?
spinous processes are bifid - nuchal ligament runs between them
relative sizes of the vertebral canal & body of typical cervical vertebrae?
small vertebral body - doesn’t hold much weight
large vertebral canal - large parts of spinal cord pass through
what are the typical vertebrae?
C3-6 - have transverse foramina, large vertebral canal, small vertebral body & bifid spinous processes
what are the atypical cervical vertebrae?
C1, 2 & 7
what is the first prominent vertebra that can usually be palpated?
C7 (vertebra prominens)
which cervical vertebra lacks a vertebral body and spinous process?
C1
what structure does the atlas (C1) articulate with superiorly?
occipital condyles of the skull
what is the unique bony projection of the axis (C2) called?
odontoid process (dens)
at what vertebral level is the hyoid bone located?
C3
what are the main structural components of the hyoid bone?
body, two greater horns, and two lesser horns
what is unique about the hyoid bone’s attachments?
has no bony attachments - it’s held in place by muscles and ligaments that attach to it
what type of joint is the atlanto-occipital joint?
synovial condyloid joint
what articulations form the atlanto-occipital joint?
occipital condyles of the skull & superior articular facets of the atlas (C1)
what movement is primarily allowed by the atlanto-occipital joint?
flexion & extension of the neck (“yes” movement)
how many synovial joints make up the atlanto-axial joint complex?
3
- two between inferior articular facets of the atlas (C1) and the superior articular facets of the axis (C2)
- one between the anterior arch of the atlas and the odontoid process of the axis
what primary movement occurs at the atlanto-axial joint?
rotation of the head (“no” movement)
what type of joint is the atlanto-axial joint?
synovial pivot joint
what two major muscles are enclosed by the investing fascia of the neck?
trapezius
sternocleidomastoid (SCM)
what structures does the muscular part of the pretracheal fascia enclose?
infrahyoid/strap muscles of the neck
what are the two parts of the pretracheal fascia?
muscular
visceral
what structures does the visceral part of the pretracheal fascia enclose? (4)
thyroid gland
trachea
oesophagus
recurrent laryngeal nerves
where is the carotid sheath located in relation to the trachea?
lateral to the trachea
what major structures are enclosed by the carotid sheath?
internal jugular vein
common & internal carotid arteries
vagus nerve
deep cervical lymph nodes
what nerve is enclosed within the carotid sheath of the neck?
vagus nerve
what structures are enclosed by the prevertebral fascia?
cervical vertebrae
deep postural muscles of the neck
what are the 2 major muscles of the neck?
trapezius
sternocleidomastoid
what are the strap muscles of the neck?
infrahyoid muscles - below the hyoid bone
- thyrohyoid
- sternohyoid
- sternothyroid
- omohyoid
what is the primary function of the trapezius during weight-lifting?
holds scapula in position
what are the three parts of the trapezius muscle, and what are their functions?
descending part - elevates scapula, rotates glenoid cavity
transverse part - retracts scapula
ascending part - depresses scapula
what nerve provides motor innervation to the trapezius?
spinal accessory nerve (CN11)
what nerve provides sensory innervation to the trapezius?
C3 & C4 spinal nerves
describe the nerve supply to the trapezius muscle (motor and sensory)
motor - spinal accessory nerve (CN11)
sensory - C3 & C4 spinal nerves
what are the two heads of the sternocleidomastoid muscle?
sternal & clavicular heads
where does the sternocleidomastoid insert?
mastoid process of the temporal bone
superior nuchal line (lateral part) of the occipital bone
what important role does the SCM play in neck anatomy?
divides neck into anterior & posterior triangles
what nerve provides motor innervation to the SCM?
spinal accessory nerve (CN11)
what provides sensory (pain & proprioception) innervation to the SCM?
C2 & C3 of the cervical plexus
what muscle forms the boundary between the anterior and posterior triangles of the neck?
sternocleidomastoid
how many triangles are within the anterior triangle? name them?
4 - submental
submandibular
carotid
muscular
how many triangles are within the posterior triangle? name them?
2 - occipital, supraclavicular
boundaries of the submandibular triangle? (superior, anterior, posterior)
located below body of mandible
superior = inferior border of mandible
anterior = anterior belly of digastric
posterior = posterior belly of digastric
contents of submandibular triangle?
submandibular lymph nodes & glands
facial artery and vein
boundaries of submental triangle? (lateral, apex, inferior)
lateral = anterior belly of digastric
apex = mandibular symphysis
inferior/base = hyoid bone
contents of submental triangle?
submental lymph nodes
anterior jugular vein tributaries
mylohyoid muscle
boundaries of the carotid triangle? (superior, inferior, lateral)
superior = posterior belly of digastric
inferior = superior belly of omohyoid
lateral = SCM
what is the carotid sheath?
fascial covering over contents of the carotid triangle
contents of the carotid triangle? (5)
common carotid artery
internal jugular vein
vagus nerve
hypoglossal nerve
deep cervical lymph nodes
what 2 nerves are covered by the carotid sheath?
vagus nerve
hypoglossal nerve
at what vertebral level does the common carotid artery bifurcate?
C4 (into internal & external carotid arteries)
boundaries of the muscular triangle? (superior, medial, superolateral, inferolateral)
superior = hyoid bone
medial = midline of neck
superolateral = superior belly of omohyoid muscle
inferolateral = inferior portion of SCM
contents of the muscular triangle?
infrahyoid/strap muscles of the neck
thyroid & parathyroid glands
pharynx
all the infrahyoid muscles of the neck are innervated by WHAT - except WHAT muscle? what is it innervated by?
all innervated by ansa cervicalis
except thyrohyoid - innervated by C1 spinal nerve
boundaries of the anterior triangle of the neck? (anterior, posterior, superior/base, inferior)
anterior = midline of neck
posterior = anterior border of SCM
superior/base = inferior border of mandible
inferior/apex = sternum
boundaries of the posterior triangle of the neck? (anterior, posterior, inferior/base, apex)
anterior = posterior border of SCM
posterior = anterior border of trapezius
inferior/base = middle 1/3 of clavicle
apex = meeting point of trapezius & SCM
boundaries of the occipital triangle? (anterior, posterior, inferior)
anterior = SCM
posterior = trapezius
inferior = omohyoid
boundaries of the supraclavicular triangle? (anterior, superior, inferior)
anterior = SCM
superior = omohyoid
inferior = clavicle
what nerve is contained within the occipital triangle?
spinal accessory nerve
which subdivision of the posterior triangle contains the spinal accessory nerve?
occipital triangle
