High Yield Flashcards
Basal Ganglia: Description
The basal ganglia is a group of nuclei located in the deep white matter of the brain. That is interconnected with the cerebral cortex, thalami and brain stem.
Function: Memory formation and regulation of motor control
Basal Ganglia: Gross Anatomy
- Gross anatomy:
- It contains 3 paired nuclei that together comprise the corpus striatum:
- Caudate nucleus
- Putamen
- Globus pallidus
Caudate Nucleus
- Located lateral to the lateral ventricle
- Head indents the anterior horn
- Curves along the lateral ventricle
- Tail extends into the temporal lobe
- Bounded laterally by the internal capsule
- The head of the caudate is supplied by the recurrent artery of Heubner, the rest is supplied by the lenticulostriatal arterys
Putamen
- Paired rounded, most lateral structure of the basal ganglia
- Medial to the external capsule
- Connected to the substantia nigra and subthalamic nuclei to control movement
- Supplied by the lenticulostriatal arteries
Globus Palladus
- The paired, medialt to the putamen, lateral to the thalamus
- Subdivided into internal and exernal parts separated by a internal medullary lamina.
- Supplied by the lenticulostriatal arteries
Subthalamic Nuclei
- Small, located inferior to the thalamus
- Medial to internal capsule
Substantia Nigra
- Anterior midbrain, transition point of the tegmentum and cerebral peduncles
- Produces dopamine
Cerebellum: Description
There cerebellum is brain structure located in the posterior fossa below the tentorium and behind
the brain stem
Function: Integration and mediation of proprioceptor and movement data
Cerebellum: Gross Anatomy
- Globular structure located in the posterior aspect of the posterior fossa
- Three surfaces: anterior, superior and inferior
- Three fissures: Primary, horizontal and sub-occipital
- Two hemispheres: right and left
- Single median vermis
Cerebellar divisions
- Vermis: Divided into nine lobules
- Cerebellar hemispheres:
- Onion configuration of folia
- 18 lobules associated bilaterally associated with the vermis lobules
Cerebellum/Cerebrum connections
- Midbrain via the superior cerebellar peduncle
- Pons via the middle cerebellar peduncle
- Medulla via the inferior cerebellar peduncle
Cerebellum: Vasculature
- Arterial supply:
- Superior cerebellar arteries (from basil)
- Anterior and posterior inferior cerebellar arteries (basil and vertebral)
- Venous drainage:
- Occipital venous sinus
Cerebellar: Relations
- Anterior: 4 th ventricle
- Posterior: cisterna magna
- Superior: occipital lobes
- Inferior: basiocciput
- Lateral: cerebella-pontine angle cisterns
Cerebellar Variants
- Variable blood supply
- Megacisterna magna
- Tonsilar ectopia / Chiari malformation
- Agenesis
Corpus Callosum: Description
- The corpus callosum is the largest white matter tract in the brain
- Function: Interhemispheric communication
- Location: Between the cerebral hemispheres above the septum pellucidum
Corpus Callosum: Gross Anatomy
- C-shaped – concave up
- 10cm in length
Divisions:
- Rostrum anterior and inferior part (anterior hook of the c) continues as the copula then lamina terminalis
- Genu most anterior part (elbow like bend), location of forceps minor
- Body largely linear most superior part
- Splenium most posterior part location of forceps major
Corpus Callosum: Vasculature
- Arterial supply:
- Anterior and posterior pericallosal arteries (From ACA and PCA)
- Subcollosal artery
- Veins:
- Anterior and posterior pericallosal veins draining into the deep cerebral veins
Corpus Callosum: Relations
- Superior: Interhemispheric fissure, indusium griseum, falx cerebri, cingulate gyrus, callosal sulcus
- Inferior: septum pellucidum anteriorly and the body of the fornix posteriorly
- Lateral: corona radiata
- Anterior: Frontal lobes, fornix anterior
- Posterior: occipital lobes, fornix posterior
Corpus Callosum: Variants
- Agenesis/dygenesis of the corpus callosum
- Cavum septum pellucidum
- Cavum et vergae
- Cavum veli interpositi
Internal Capsule: Description
- The internal capsule is a deep subcortical structure that contains a concentration of white matter projections.
- Function: Transmision of the motor and sensory information to and form the cortex and the rest of the CNS
Internal Capsule: Gross anatomy
- Divided into 5 parts:
- Anterior limb: lies between the head of the caudate nucleus medially and the lentiform nucleus laterally. Contain thalamic radiations.
- Genu: Medial to the apex of the lentiform nucleus. Contains corticobulbar tracts.
- Posterior limb: between the thalamus and the lentiform nucleus. Contains corticospinal tracts.
- Retrolentiform: behind the lentiform nucleus. Contains optic radiation.
- Sublentiform: below the lentiform nucleus. Contains the auditory radiation.
Internal Capsule: Vasculature
- Arterial:
- Perforators from the MCA and ACA
- Lenticulostriatal and recurrent artery of Heubner.
- Internal carotid supplies the posterior limb
- Venous:
- Internal cerebral vein
- Inferior sagittal sinus
- Posterior vein of the corpus callosum
Temporal Lobe: Description
The temporal lobe is one of four lobes of the brain and largely occupies the middle cranial fossa
Function: Memory formation, communication
Temporal lobe: Gross Anatomy
- Gross anatomy:
- Second largest lobe (after the frontal lobe)
- Borders:
- Superiorly – Sylvian fissure
- Posteriorly – imaginary parietotemporal line
- The middle cranial fossa forms its anterior and inferor boundaries
- The temporal lobe can be divided into two main sections:
- Neocortex – lateral and inferolateral surfaces
- Mesial temporal lobe – hippocampus, amygdala, parahippocampal gyrus
- The temporal lobe is divide into five gyri, from superolateral to inferomedial:
- Superior temporal gyrus – containing Wernicke’s area
- Middle temporal gyrus
- Inferior temporal gyrus
- Fusiform gyrus
- Parahipocampal gyrus (anterior) lingual gyrus (posterior)
Temporal Lobe: Vasculature
- Arterial supply:
- Anterior choroidal
- Middle cerebral
- Basilar
- Venous drainage:
- Superficial middle cerebral vein
- Inferior anastomotic vein of Labbe
- Posterior choroidal vein
Temporal Lobe: Variants
Wernicke’s area can be on either side, most commonly the left
Frontal lobe: Description
The frontal lobe is by far the largest of the four lobes of the cerebrum (along with the parietal lobe, temporal lobe, and occipital lobe), and is responsible for many of the functions which produce voluntary and purposeful action.
Frontal Lobe: Gross Anatomy
The frontal lobe is the largest lobe accounting for 41% of the total neocortical volume. The frontal lobe resides largely in the anterior cranial fossa. Its most anterior part is known as the frontal pole, and extends posteriorly to the central (Rolandic) sulcus which separates it from the parietal lobe.
Posteroinferiorly it is separated from the temporal lobe by the lateral sulcus (sylvian fissure), although not seen from the surface is the insular cortex which is hidden deep to the lateral sulcus
The interhemispheric fissure separates its medial surface from the contralateral frontal lobe.
The frontal lobe is roughly pyramidal in shape, with three cortical surfaces:
- Lateral surface (largest)
- Medial (inter-hemispheric) surface
- Inferior surface
Frontal Lobe: Lateral surface
- Gyri:
- superior frontal gyrus
- middle frontal gyrus
- inferior frontal gyrus
- precentral gyrus (primary motor area)
- Sulci:
- superior frontal sulcus
- inferior frontal sulcus
- precentral sulcus
Frontal lobe: Medial Surface
The medial surface of the frontal lobe, abutting the falx in the midline, is primarily divided by the curving cingulate sulcus, which parallels the outer outline of the corpus callosum.
Above the cingulate sulcus is the medial continuation of the superior frontal gyrus
which is usually divided into two parts by a short ascending branch from the cingulate sulcus.
- medial frontal gyrus
- paracentral lobule
Frontal lobe: Inferior surface
Gyrus recti medially
Orbital gyri arranged in a H configuration (Medial, lateral, anterior and posterior orbital gyri)
Frontal Lobe: Relations
- anterior: frontal bone
- superiorly: frontal bone (anteriorly), coronal suture, and parietal bone (posteriorly)
- posterior: central sulcus and parietal lobe
- inferolaterally: lateral sulcus and temporal lobes
- inferior: floor of anterior cranial fossa
Frontal lobe: Arterial supply
- middle cerebral artery (MCA): lateral frontal lobe
- anterior cerebral artery (ACA): medial frontal lobe
Occipital lobe: Description
The occipital lobe is the smallest of the four lobes of the brain.
Location: Posterior to the temporal and parietal lobes, sitting on top of the tentorium
Function: Primary and secondary visual cortex
Occipital Lobe: Gross anatomy
- Triangular in shape
- Seperated from the parietal and temporal lobes by the parieto-occipital sulcus and the parietotemporal line
- Medially it is devided into hemisphere by the longitudinal fissure
- The calcarine sulcus runs horizontally across with the cuneus above and the lingual gyrus below
Occipital lobe: Functional areas
- Primary visual cortex – primary visual processing
- Secondary visual cortex – visual association
Occipital Lobe: Relations
- Anterior: parietal and temporal lobes
- Posterior: occipital bone
- Superior: Parietal lobe and parietal bone
- Inferior: tentorium cerebelli
- Medial: transverse sinuses, confluence of sinuses, straight sinus
Occipital lobe vasculature
- Arterial supply:
- Branches of the posterior cerebral artery
- Venous:
- Straight sinus
- Superior sagittal sinus
- Transverse sinuses
Parietal Lobe: Description
The parietal lobe is one of the four lobes of the brain located between the frontal and occipital lobes.
Function: Sensory processing, communication, proprioception
Parietal Lobe: Gross Anatomy
- Lobe extends from the central sulcus anteriorly to the parieto-occipital fissure posteriorly.
- The lateral sulcus corresponds to its inferolateral boundary, separating it from the temporal lobe. Divided by the medial longitudinal fissure
Gyri:
- postcentral gyrus (primary sensory area)
- superior parietal lobule
- inferior parietal lobule (Wernicke’s area)
Parietal Lobe: Relations
- Anterior: frontal lobe
- Posterior: occipital lobe
- Superior: parietal bone
- Inferior: temporal lobe
Parietal lobe: Vasculature
- Blood supply:
- middle cerebral artery (MCA)
- anterior cerebral artery (ACA): medial parietal lobe
- posterior cerebral artery (PCA): posterior medial parietal lobe
- Venous:
- Superior sagittal sinus
- Straight sinus
- Inferior superficial cerebral vein (Labbe)
Arterial supply of the cerebellum: Description
The cerebellum is a specialised part of the brain located in the posterior cranial fossa
Function: Computation of movement and proprioceptive data
Arterial supply of the cerebellum
- Superior cerebellar from the basilar –supplies the superior surface
- Anterior inferior cerebellar from the basilar – anterior inferior
- Posterior inferior cerebellar from the vertebral – posterior inferior
Basilar artery: Description
The basilar artery is a large artery of the posterior circulation of the brain.
Basilar artery: Gross anatomy
Origin: Formed from the confluence of the vertebral arteries at the base of the pons.
Course: Ascends parallel to the ventral pons in the central groove of the pons in the pre-pontine cistern
Branches: Numerus small braches to the pons and cerebellum including the:
- The anterior inferior cerebellar artery (AICA)
- Labyrinthine arteries (normally from AICA)
- Superior cerebellar arteries
Termination: bifurcates to form the two posterior cerebral arteries at the upper pontine boarder
Basilar artery: Relations
- Anterior: clivus
- Posterior: Basilar pons
- Superior: Posterior cerebral arteries
- Inferior: vertebral arteries
- Lateral: Origin; origin of the abducens nerve, termination: origin of the oculomotor nerve
Basilar artery: Variants
- Fenestration
- Persistent carotid-basilar artery anastomosis
Internal carotid artery: Description
Internal carotid arteries are the primary supply to the anterior circulation of the brain
Function: supply oxygenated blood to the brain and meninges
Internal Carotid Artery: Gross anatomy
Divides into the following segments (Bouthillier classification):
- Cervical
- Petrosal
- Lacerum
- Clinoid
- Caverous
- Ophthalmic
- Communicating
Origin:
Bifurcation of the common carotid at the level ~L4
Course: ascending through the carotid space, enters the cranial cavity via the carotid canal
Termination: Branches to for the anterior and middle cerebral arteries
Internal carotid artery: Branches
2nd segment:
- Caroticotympanic
- Vidian
4th segment:
- Meningohypophyseal
- Inferolateral trunk
6th segment
- Ophthalmic artery
- Superior hypophyseal
7th segment:
- Posterior communicating artery
- Anterior choroidal artery
- Anterior communicating artery
- Middle cerebral artery
Internal carotid artery: Relations
- Anterior: External carotid artery
- Lateral: internal jugular vein
- Medial: larynx, oropharynx, nasopharynx
- Superior: suprasellar cistern
- Inferior: Carotid bulb
Internal Carotid artery: Variants
- Aberrant ICA course
- Kissing carotids
- Persistent carotid-vertebrobasilar anastomoses
- Retropharyngeal ICA
Middle cerebral artery: Gross anatomy
Origin: Terminal bifurcation of the Internal carotid artery (the other branch is the anterior cerebral artery
Course:
Divided into segments: (HIOC)
- M1 – the horizontal segment – from origin to bi/trifurcation
- M2 – insular segment from bi/trifurcation to the circular sulcus of the insular lobe
- M3 – Opercular branches – within the sylvian fissure
- M4 – Cortical segment – branches emerging from the sylvian fissure
MCA Branches
Branches:
M1: (PAUL)
- Medial and lateral lenticulostriate
- Anterior temporal
- Polar temporal
M2:
- Superior and inferior trunks
M1 Supply
M1:
- Basal ganglia
- External and internal capsule
- Anterior third of the superior, middle and inferior temporal gyri
- Polar Regions of the temporal lobe
Cerebral Venous sinuses: Description
The cerebral venous sinus are venous system formed from folds of the meninges
Function: return of deoxygentated blood from the brain to the system circulation
Cerebral venous sinuses: Gross anatomy
Folded dura form sinus which drain from veins to other sinuses or veins
Valveless
There are paired and unpaired cerebral venous sinuses
Paired Cerebral venous sinuses
Transverse sinuses – from the confluence of sinuses to the sagittal sinuses, receives the superficial cerebral vein of labbe
Sigmoid sinuses – from the transverse sinus s-shaped course draining into the jugular bulbs , also receives the sphenoparietal sinus and the superior petrosal sinsu
Superior and inferior petrosal sinuses – From the right and left cavernous sinuses to the sagittal and jugular bulb respectively
Sphenoperietal sinus courses along the ridge of the greater wing of the sphenoid to the cavernous sinsus, also receives the middle superficial cerebral vein
Caverous sinuses located either side of the sella, receives the ophthalmic veins (superior and inferior) connected by the anterior and posterior intercavernous sinsus, drains into the superior and inferior petrosal sinuses and basiclival plexus
Unpaired cerebral venous sinuses
Internal cavernous sinuses as noted earlier
Superior sagittal sinus midline between the falx drains into the confluence of sinuses
Inferior sagittal sinus runs in the over the corpus callosum drains into the straight sinus
Straight sinus – from the vein of Galen to the confluence of sinuses
Occipital sinus – from the occipital bone midline between the cerebellar hemispheres drains into the confluence of sinuses
Cerebral venous sinuses: Variants
No confluence – straight and superior sagittal sinuses drain into the right and left transverse sinuses separately
No confluence – straight and superior sagittal sinuses fork prior to drain into the straight sinuses
Cerebral venous drainage: Description
The cerebral veins drain the brain parenchyma and are located in the subarachnoid space. They pierce the meninges and drain further into the cranial venous sinuses.
Cerebral venous drainage: Gross anatomy
The cerebral veins lack muscular tissue and valves.
The cerebral venous system can be divided into:
- superficial (cortical) cerebral veins
- deep (subependymal) cerebral veins
Venous drainage of the orbit
The venous drainage of the orbit is the venous system to drain deoxygenated blood from the orbit to the systemic circulation.
Intracranial Cisterns: Description
The subarachnoid cisterns are discrete named spaces within the subarachnoid space where the pia mater and arachnoid membrane are not in close approximation. The subarachnoid tissue is not as abundant here as in the normal subarachnoid space and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) gathers to form pools or cisterns (Latin: “box”).
As they are interconnected, the patency is essential for CSF circulation. Being within the subarachnoid space, the cisterns may have vessels and/or cranial nerves passing through them.
Named intracranial cisterns (9)
- cisterna magna: the largest of the subarachnoid cisterns
- prepontine cistern: anterior to the pons
- suprasellar cistern: surrounding the infundibulum
- interpeduncular cistern: between the cerebral crura
- quadrigeminal cistern: superior cistern or cistern of the great cerebral vein
- ambient cistern: surrounds the back of the midbrain
- cerebellopontine cistern: at the cerebellopontine angle
- premedullary cistern: anterior to the medulla
- sylvian cistern: superficial to the insular cortex
Bony Orbit: Gross Anatomy
- Gross anatomy
- Superiorly
- Frontal bone
- Sphenoid (lesser wing)
- Medially
- Maxilla
- Lacrimal bone
- Ethmoid (lamina papyracea)
- Sphenoid (lesser wing)+/- palatine
- Inferiorly
- Maxilla
- Zygomatic (laterally)
- Palatine(inferomedial)
- Laterally
- Zygomatic
- Sphenoid (greater wing)
- Foramina
- Optic foramina
- Superior orbital fissure
- Inferior orbital fissure
- Superiorly
- Contents
- Orbit
- Lacrimal gland
- Optic foramina
- Optic nerve (CN2)
- Ophthalmic artery (C6 ICA)
- Superior orbital fissure
- CN 3 occulomotor
- CN 4 trochlea
- CN 5 (V1 ophthalmic division of trigeminal)
- CN 6 abducens
- +/- middle meningeal contribution to ophthalmic artery (variantion)
- Inferior orbital fissure
- Infraorbital nerve
- Infraorbital artery
- Inferior ophthalmic vein
Bones of the orbit
The bony orbit is made up of:
- Maxillary bone
- Lacrimal bone
- Ethmoid bone
- Zygomatic bone
- Frontal bone
- Orbital process of the palatine bone
- Greater and lesser wings of the sphenoid
Spaces of the Orbit
- Optic nerve sheath complex – optic nerve, central retinal artery and vein, meninges
- Intraconal space – orbital fat, ophthalmic artery, cranial nerves
- Conal space – extra ocular muscles
- Extraconal space – fat, lacrimal gland, lacrimal and frontal braches of V1
Communication with the orbit
- Optic canal to intracranial cavity
- Superior orbital fissure also to the intracranial cavity
- Inferior orbital fissure to infratemporal fossa
- Anterior ethmoidal foramen
- Posterior ethmoidal foramen
- Supra and infra orbital foramen
- Nasolacrimal foramen
Mandible: Description
The mandible is a large single midline bone of the lower face
Function: respiration, verbalisation, mastication
Location: Jaw
Mandible: Gross Anatomy
Irregular bone. It consists of a curved horizontal portion the body and two perpendicular portions, the rami. The rami and the body unite at almost right angles (the angle of the jaw).
Mandible: Features
Body:
- Mandibular symphysis – midline point of fusion
- Mental foramen - inferior to the second pre-molar (mental vessels and nerve, the terminal branches of the inferior alveolar vessels and nerves)
- Fossae for the sublinguinal and submandibular glands
- Alveolar process of the teeth
- Groove for the facial artery of the inferior border
Ramus:
- Mandibular foramen – opening of the mandibular canal, which transmits the inferior alveolar vessels and nerves
- Coronoid process – anteriorly
- Condylar process – posterior
- Mandibular notch – space between the above two
- Mandibular canal – between the mandibular foramen and the mental foramen
Mandible: Articulation
- Gomphosis joints with the lower row of teeth
- Temporomandibular joint – between the condylar process of the mandible and the mandibular fossa and the articular eminence of the temporal bone. Atypical synovial joint with a fibrocartilage articular disc
Temperomandibular joint: Description
Bilateral joint of the jaw. Modified hinge joint.
Function: Mastication, verbalisation, respiration
TMJ: Anatomy
The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is an atypical synovial joint located between the condylar process of the mandible and the mandibular fossa and articular eminence of the temporal bone.
It is divided into a superior discotemporal space and inferior discomandibular space by the TMJ disc (or meniscus).
TMJ: Movement
- upper compartment: protraction, retraction and gliding side-to-side
- lower compartment: opening and closing
TMJ: Ligaments
- temporomandibular
- stylomandibular
- sphenomandibular
TMJ: Muscles
- Medial and lateral pterygoids
- Masseter
- Temporalis
TMJ: Neurovasculature
Arterial:
Superficial temporal
Vein:
Retromandibular
Innervation:
- auriculotemporal nerve
- masseteric nerve
Extra-ocular muscles: Description
The extra-ocular muscles are the six muscles that insert onto the eye and hence control eye
Extraocular muscles: Gross Anatomy
- superior rectus: elevation, annulus of Zinn to the superior globe
- superior oblique: intorsion, sphenoid bone via catelaginous trochlear to superior lateral globe
- medial rectus: adduction, annulus of Zinn to the medial globe
- lateral rectus: abduction, annulus of Zinn to the lateral globe
- inferior oblique: extorsion, Maxillary bone to inferior lateral globe
- inferior rectus: depression, annulus of Zinn to the inferior globe
Extra-ocular muscles: innervation
oculomotor nerve:
- superior, medial, and inferior rectus
- inferior oblique
trochlear nerve:
- superior oblique
abducens nerve:
- lateral rectus
Extra-ocular muscles: neurovasculature
Arterial:
Ophthalmic artery
Vein:
Superior and inferior ophthalmic veins
Nasolacrimal apparatus: Description
The nasolacrimal apparatus is the system responsible for drainage of tears. Production of tears by the lacrimal gland is included in some text under this heading.
Lacrimal gland Gross Anatomy
- Location in the superior lateral orbit in the extraconal space
- Almond shaped
Lacrimal Apparatus: Gross anatomy
Location: From the medial canthus to the inferior concha
Consists of:
- Lacrimal canaliculi which drain the lacrimal lake via the lacrimal puncta
- Lacrimal sac – the superior and inferior lacrimal canaliculi drain into the lacrimal sac which lies in the lacrimal fossa, it drains into the nasolacrimal duct via the valve of Krause, the sac is enclosed in the lacrimal fascia and the orbicularis oculi
- Nasolacrimal duct – Is the inferior continuation of the lacrimal sac, it is approximately 17mm in length, it has 2 parts: intraosseous part which lies within the nasolacrimal canal of the maxilla, the membranous part which runs in the nasal mucosa. It terminates below the inferior nasal meatus as a slit like opening where it is covered by a mucosal fold called the valve of Hasner
Nasolacrimal Apparatus: Neurovasculature
Artery: lacrimal artery from the ophthalmic artery
Vein: Superior ophthalmic vein
Nerves: greater petrosal nerve (from facial nerve) and lacrimal nerve (ophthalmic division of the trigeminal nerve)
Nasolacrimal apparatus: Relations
- Medial: the maxilla
- Lateral: Lacrimal lake
- Superior: Superior orbital rim
- Inferior: Floor of the nasal cavity
- Posterior: ethmoid labyrinth and nasal cavity
- Aterio-medial: Nasal vestibule
Nasolacrimal Gland Variants
- Incompetent valve of Hasner
- Absence
- Accessory glands
- Draining to the middle meatus
Extra-ocular spaces of the orbit: spaces
The orbit is a space of the anterior face
Function:
- Contain the globe and associated support structures and organs
- Passage of nerve arteries and veins
Orbit: Relations
- Superior: frontal bone, and anterior fossa
- Inferior: Maxillary sinus
- Lateral: infratemporal space
- Medial: ethmoidal air cells
- Posterior: the cavernous sinuses
- Anterior: Superior and inferior palabra
Constrictors of the pharynx
The constrictor muscles of the pharynx are a set of 3 pharyngeal constrictors that constrict the pharynx to deliver a bolus of food to the oesophagus.
Type: skeletal muscles under semi-voluntary control
Superior pharyngeal constrictor
- Origin: pterygoid hamulus, pterygomandibular raphe and mandible
- Insertion: Pharyngeal raphe
- Artery: ascending pharyngeal artery, branch of the external carotid artery
- Nerve: pharyngeal plexus from vagus
Middle Pharyngeal constrictor
- Origin: Greater and lesser conu of the hyoid bone
- Insertion: Pharyngeal raphe
- Artery: Ascending pharyngeal artery (external carotid artery)
- Nerve: pharyngeal plexus from vagus
Inferior pharyngeal constrictor
- Origin: Cricoid and thyroid cartilage
- Insertion: Pharyngeal raphe
- Artery: Ascending pharyngeal artery
- Nerve: pharyngeal plexus from vagus
- Incorporates cricopharyngeus inferiorly
Pharyngeal constrictors: Relations
- Anterior – pharynx
- Posterior – Cervical spine vertebrae and retrophpharyngeal space
- Lateral – carotid sheath and it’s contents
- Superior – base of the skull
- Inferior – Cricopharyngeus muscle
Pharyngeal Constrictors:Variants
- Cricopharyngeal bar
- Zenker’s diverticulum
Sternocleidomastoid Muscle
The sternocleidomastoid (SCM) is a muscle of the neck. It has two heads that meld to form one insertion. SCM, along with the trapezius muscle, is invested by the superficial layer of the deep cervical fascia, which splits around it. SCM divides the neck into anatomical anterior and posterior triangles.
SCM: Gross Anatomy
origin: manubrium (sternal head – tendinous), medial clavicle (clavicular head – muscular)
insertion: mastoid process of the temporal bone, superior nuchal line of the occipital bone
Artery: Superior thyroid and occipital arteries
innervation: accessory nerve (CN XI)
action: lateral flexion, flexion and rotation of the head on the neck, raise sternum (secondary muscle of respiration).
SCM: Relations
upper half:
anteriorly: platysma muscle, external jugular vein
Medial: anterior scalene muscle, common carotid artery, internal jugular vein, carotid sheath
lower half:
anteriorly: platysma
posteriorly: anterior scalene muscle, common carotid artery, internal jugular vein, carotid sheath
SCM: Variants
- absent mastoid insertion (occipital insertion only)
- absent clavicular or sternal head
- fusion with trapezius muscle
- additional clavicular head
- separate muscle bellies for sternomastoid and cleidomastoid
- separate muscle bellies for cleidooccipital and sternocleidomastoid
External Carotid artery: Description
The primary blood supply to the face and neck
ECA: Gross anatomy
Origin: at the common carotid bifurcation level C4
Course:
- Through the carotid sheath
- Divided from the internal carotid artery by styloglossus and stylopharangeus
- Exiting to pass through the parotid gland
Termination: bifurcation in the maxillary and superficial temporal artery
Distinguishable from ICA due to the many branches of the ECA
Branches of the ECA
- Superior thyroid artery
- Asecnding laryngeal
- Lingual
- Facial
- Occipital
- Posterior auricular
- Maxillary
- Superficial temporal
Relations of ECA
- Anterior – sternocleidomastoid
- Posterior – internal carotid artery
- Medial – larynx
- Lateral – sternocleidomastoid
Variants of the ECA
- Branch height
Trunks:
- Lingofacial trucnk
- Thryolingual
- Thyrolingualfacial
- Occipital and posterior auricular have common trunk
Jugular veins: Description
There are 4 paired jugular veins which provide drainage of deoxygenated blood from the face, head and brain:
- Internal jugular veins
- External jugular veins
- Posterior external jugular veins
- Anterior jugular veins
Internal jugular vein: Gross Anatomy
Origin: Formed by the union of the inferior petrosal and sigmoid dural venous sinuses at the jugular foramen.
Course: Descending in the carotid sheath, anterior to the internal carotid and vagus nerve, enters the thorax posterior to the two heads of the sternocleidomastoid
Drains to: unites with the subclavian vein to form the brachiocephalic vein
Internal jugular vein: Tributaries
Tributaries:
(medical school lets fun people in)
- Middle thyroid v
- Superior thyroid v
- Lingual v
- Facial v
- Pharyngeal v
- Inferior petrosal sinus
External Jugular veins: Gross anatomy
Origin: Retromendibular and posterior auricular veins unite to form the external jugular vein at the angle of the mandible
Course: Descends deep to the platysma but superficial to SCM, pierces the cervical fascia posterior to the head of the clavicle
Drains to: subclavian veins
External jugular veins: Tributaries
- Anterior jugular vein
- Posterior external jugular vein
- Suprascapular vein
- Transverse cervical vein
Anterior jugular veins
Origin: Arise in the region of the hyoid bone confluence of multiple submandibular vessels
Course: Descending medial to the anterior boarder of the sternocleidomastoid
Drains to: passes deep to SCM to drain into the external jugular vein
Tributaries: Small submandibular, laryngeal and thyroid veins
Variant: may drain directly to the subclavian veins
Posterior jugular veins
Origin: Confluence of superficial veins of the posterosuperior neck and scalp
Course: Supeficial course over the posterior triangle
Drains to: External jugular vein
Level 1 lymphatics in the neck
Submental and submandibular nodes
- Below mylohyoid muscle and above the lower margin of the hyoid bone (or the carotid bifurcation)
- anterior to the posterior border of the submandibular glands
- level Ia: submental nodes, i.e. between the anterior bellies of the digastric muscles
- level Ib: submandibular nodes between the anterior and posterior bellies of digastric muscles
Level II lymphatics in the neck
Superior Internal jugular (deep cervical) chain
- base of the skull to the inferior border of hyoid bone (or the carotid bifurcation)
- anterior to the posterior border of sternocleidomastoid (SCM) muscle
- posterior to the posterior border of the level I glands
Level III lymphatics in the neck
Middle Internal jugular (deep cervical) chain
- lower margin of hyoid to lower margin of cricoid cartilage (or the intermediate tendon of Omohyoid)
- anterior to the posterior border of SCM
- Posterior to the anterior boarder of SCM
Level IV lymphatics in the neck
Inferior Internal jugular (deep cervical) chain
- lower margin of cricoid cartilage to level of the clavicle
- anterior and medial to an oblique line drawn through the posterior edge of SCM and the posterolateral edge of the anterior scalene muscle
- Posterior to the anterior border of SCM
Level V lymphatics in the neck
Posterior triangle (spinal accessory) nodes, posterior to posterior edges of SCM and scalenus anterior
- level Va: superior half, posterior to levels II and III
- level Vb: inferior half, posterior to level IV
Level VI lymphatics in the neck
prelaryngeal / pretracheal / Delphian node
- from the inferior margin of hyoid bone to the manubrium
- anterior to levels III and IV
Level VII lymphatics in the neck
- superior mediastinal nodes
- between CCAs, below superior aspect of manubrium to level of the brachiocephalic vein
Thyroid gland: Description
The thyroid gland is an endocrine gland located in the pre-tracheal fascia of the neck
Function: endocrine control of metabolism
Location: Pre-tracheal fascia anterior to the thyroid, cricoid and first 3 tracheal cartilages
Thyroid: Description
- Butterfly shaped with a lobe bilaterally joined by a central isthmus
- Each lobe may be divided into an upper and lower pole
- Parathyroid glands lie with each pole and are sometime intracapsular
Thyroid: Neurovasculature
Arterial supply:
- Superior thyroid artery (from the ECA)
- Inferior thyroid artery (from the thyrocervical trunk)
Venous drainage:
- Superior, middle and inferior thyroid veins (internal jugular, internal jugular and brachiocephalic vein)
Innervation:
- Superior, middle and inferior cervical ganglia
Lymphatics:
- Level 6 cervical nodes
Thyroid relations
- Anterior – strap muscle
- Posterior – thyroid and cricoid cartilage, trachea
- Posterior medial – trachea-oesophageal groove with the parathyroid glands and the recurrent laryngeal nerves
- Posterior lateral – carotid space
Thyroid: Variants
- Pyramidal lobe
- Lobar hemigenesis
- Thyroglassal duct cyst
- Ectopic thyroid tissue – lingual thyroid
- Zuckerkandl’s tubercle
- Thyroidea Ima artery
Humerus: Description
Single long bone of the arm Location: between the shoulder and the elbow
Humerus: Gross Anatomy
- Proximal: Rounded head covered with articular cartilage, greater and lesser tubercles, intertubercular groove
- Mid: Surgical neck inferior to the tubercles, deltoid tuberosity, spiral groove from radial nerve
- Distal: condyle of the humerus which consists of: capitulum, trochlear, medial and lateral epicondyles, radial fossa, olecranon fossa, coronoid fossa
Humerus: Articulations
- Proximal: the head of the humerus articulates with the glenoid of the scapula
- Distal: capitulum with the radial head, trochlear with the trochlear notch of the ulnar
Humerus: Ligaments
- Superior, middle, inferior and spiral glenohumeral ligaments
- Radial and ulnar collateral ligaments
Humerus: Relations
- Anterior: brachialis, bicep brachii, coracobrachialis
- Posterior: Profunda brachii, radial nerve, triceps brachii
- Lateral: deltoid
- Medial: brachial plexus, brachial artery, supratrochlear nodes
Humerus: Neurovasculature
Blood supply:
- Anterior and posterior humeral circumflex arteries and veins
- Perforators from profunda brachii
Lymphatics:
- Supratrochlear and axillary nodes
Innervation:
- Radial nerve
Humerus: Variants
- Supracondylar process
- Olecranon foramen
Elbow Joint: Description
The elbow joint is a complex synovial joint between the arm and the forearm
Has a joint capsule
Synovial
Elbow Joints: Movements
Combination hinge pivot joint:
Internal and external rotation of the arm
Flexion and extension of the arm
Elbow Joint: Articulation
- Proximal head of the radius the capitulum of the humerus
- Trochlea notch of the ulnar with the trochlear of the humerus
- Proximal radial head the proximal radial notch of the ulnar
Elbow Joint: Muscles
- Brachioradialis
- Biceps brachii
- Triceps brachii
Elbow Joint: Ligaments
- Annular ligament
- Proximal radial and ulnar collateral ligament complexes
- Oblique cord- thickening of the supinator
Elbow Joint: Fat Pads
- Coronoid and radial fossa fat pads anteriorly
- Olecranon fat pad posteriorly
Elbow Joint: Neurovasculature
Blood supply:
- Anastomotic arcade formed from branches of the radial, ulnar and brachial arteries
Nerves:
- Median, radial, ulnar and musculocutaneous nerves
Elbow Joints: Relations
- Anterior: biceps brachii tendon, brachialis muscle, median nerve, brachial artery
- Posteriorly: Olecranon bursae, triceps brachii tendon
- Laterally: Common extensor tendon, supinator muscle
- Medially: ulnar nerve
Elbow Joint: Variants
- Variation in carry angle between males and females, females have larger angles usually
- Synovial folds
- Capitellar and olecranon pseudofacets
- Accessory ossicles: os supratrochlear dorsale, patella cubiti
Glenohumeral Joint: Description
The shoulder joint also known as the gleno-humeral joint is a ball and socket synovial joint between the humerus and the glenoid.
Glenohumeral Joint: Movement
- Most mobile joint in the body
- Flex/extension, int. ext. rotation, ab and adduction
Glenohumeral joint: Articulation
Head of the humerus with the glenoid fossa of the scapula. The glenoid labrum adds depth to the glenoid fossa.