Introduction To Head and Neck Flashcards
What are the layers of the scalp?
Skin, Connective tissue, Aponeurosis (Galeal aponeurosis), Loose areolar region, Periosteum/Pericranium.
Why is the loose areolar tissue zone of the scalp considered a “danger area”?
Because infections can pass into the cranial cavity through emissary veins.
What is the Pterion, and why is it clinically significant?
The Pterion is the junction of the frontal, parietal, temporal, and sphenoid bones. It is clinically significant because it overlies the middle meningeal artery, and injury here can cause extradural hemorrhage.
What is the orbitomeatal plane?
A horizontal plane that includes the inferior margin of the orbit and the superior margin of the external acoustic meatus.
What are emissary veins?
: Valveless veins that drain external veins of the skull into the dural venous sinuses.
: Valveless veins that drain external veins of the skull into the dural venous sinuses.
Investing, pretracheal, and prevertebral layers.
What is the carotid sheath, and what structures does it contain?
he carotid sheath is a condensation of the deep fascia that surrounds the common carotid artery, internal carotid artery, internal jugular vein, vagus nerve, and ansa cervicalis.
What are the muscles of mastication?
Temporalis, masseter, lateral pterygoid, medial pterygoid, and digastric.
What is Waldeyer’s ring, and what does it consist of?
Waldeyer’s ring is a ring of lymphatic tissue in the pharynx, consisting of the pharyngeal tonsil (adenoids), tubal tonsils, lingual tonsil, and palatine tonsils.
What is the function of Cranial Nerve I (Olfactory nerve)?
Responsible for smell (sensory).
What is the function of Cranial Nerve II (Optic nerve)?
Responsible for vision (sensory).
What muscles does Cranial Nerve III (Oculomotor nerve) innervate?
All extraocular muscles except the lateral rectus and superior oblique. It also innervates the levator palpebrae superioris (eyelid muscle) and intrinsic muscles of the eye (constrictor pupillae and ciliaris).
What is the function of Cranial Nerve IV (Trochlear nerve)?
Supplies the superior oblique muscle, which helps the eye look down and out.
What are the three divisions of Cranial Nerve V (Trigeminal nerve), and what do they innervate?
V1 (Ophthalmic): Skin above the lateral angle of the eye and cornea.
V2 (Maxillary): Skin between the angle of the eye and angle of the mouth.
V3 (Mandibular): Skin below the angle of the mouth (sensory) and muscles of mastication (motor).
What is the function of Cranial Nerve VII (Facial nerve)?
It supplies the muscles of facial expression, taste to the anterior 2/3 of the tongue, and innervates all exocrine glands of the head except the parotid gland.
What are the five branches of the facial nerve (CN VII)?
Temporal, Zygomatic, Buccal, Mandibular, Cervical (mnemonic: “To Zanzibar By Motor Car”).
What is the function of Cranial Nerve VIII (Vestibulocochlear nerve)?
Responsible for hearing (cochlea) and balance (semicircular canals).
What is the function of Cranial Nerve IX (Glossopharyngeal nerve)?
It supplies the stylopharyngeus muscle, provides taste to the posterior 1/3 of the tongue, and general sensation to the pharynx and posterior tongue
What is the function of Cranial Nerve X (Vagus nerve)?
It provides parasympathetic innervation to the neck, thorax, and abdomen, and supplies the pharyngeal and laryngeal muscles. It also carries visceral afferents and taste from the root of the tongue.
What is the function of Cranial Nerve XI (Accessory nerve)?
Cranial accessory: Distributed through the vagus to muscles of the pharynx and larynx.
Spinal accessory: Innervates the sternocleidomastoid and trapezius muscles.
What is the function of Cranial Nerve XII (Hypoglossal nerve)?
It innervates all muscles of the tongue except the palatoglossus. Damage causes deviation of the tongue to the same side.
What are the parasympathetic ganglia of the head and neck, and what do they innervate?
The parasympathetic ganglia innervate the salivary and lacrimal glands, mucous glands of the oral and nasal cavities, and the sphincter pupillae and ciliary muscles of the eyeball.
What is the clinical significance of the lymphatic system in the head and neck?
The lymphatic system is extensive and can be a pathway for the spread of cancer cells.
What is the clinical significance of the middle meningeal artery in relation to the Pterion?
Injury to the Pterion can damage the middle meningeal artery, leading to an extradural hemorrhage.
What is the role of the loose areolar tissue in the scalp?
It allows the skin, connective tissue, and aponeurosis to move as a single unit over the periosteum.
What are the clinical implications of scalp injuries?
Scalp injuries can cause profuse bleeding due to the rich blood supply and gapping of wounds due to the dense connective tissue.
What is diploe, and what is its function?
Diploe is the spongy layer of bone between the inner and outer tables of the skull. It contains red bone marrow and helps absorb impact.
What are the paranasal sinuses, and what are their functions?
Paranasal sinuses are air-filled spaces in the skull that communicate with the nasal cavity. They include the frontal, ethmoid, sphenoid, and maxillary sinuses. They help humidify and filter the air we breathe.
What are the potential spaces in the neck, and why are they clinically significant?
The potential spaces in the neck (e.g., retropharyngeal space) are created by the layers of the deep cervical fascia. They can allow infections to spread between the head, neck, and posterior mediastinum.
What are the functions of the orbicularis oculi and orbicularis oris muscles?
Orbicularis oculi: Closes the eyelids.
Orbicularis oris: Controls the lips.
What is the platysma muscle, and what is its function?
The platysma is a superficial muscle in the neck that helps with facial expressions and lowering the jaw.
What are the effects of damage to Cranial Nerve III (Oculomotor nerve)?
Damage can cause ptosis (drooping eyelid), dilated pupils, and difficulty moving the eye.
What is Bell’s palsy, and which cranial nerve is affected?
Bell’s palsy is a condition caused by damage to Cranial Nerve VII (Facial nerve), leading to paralysis of facial muscles on one side.
What are the effects of damage to Cranial Nerve VIII (Vestibulocochlear nerve)?
Damage can cause hearing loss, tinnitus, or balance issues.
What happens if Cranial Nerve XII (Hypoglossal nerve) is damaged?
Damage causes the tongue to deviate toward the affected side when protruded.
What is the difference between cephalhematoma and caput succedaneum?
Cephalhematoma: A subperiosteal hemorrhage limited to one cranial bone.
Caput succedaneum: A diffuse swelling of the scalp due to pressure during birth.
What are the superficial lymph nodes of the head and neck?
The superficial lymph nodes include the occipital, preauricular (parotid), submandibular, and submental nodes.
What are the parasympathetic ganglia of the head and neck, and what do they innervate?
Ciliary ganglion: Innervates the sphincter pupillae and ciliary muscles of the eye.
Pterygopalatine ganglion: Innervates the lacrimal gland and mucous glands of the nasal and oral cavities.
Submandibular ganglion: Innervates the submandibular and sublingual salivary glands.
Otic ganglion: Innervates the parotid gland.
What is the vertebra prominens, and where is it located?
The vertebra prominens is the spinous process of the C7 vertebra, which is especially prominent and can be easily palpated at the base of the neck.
