Introduction To Head and Neck

Question 1

What are the layers of the scalp?

Answer 1

Skin, Connective tissue, Aponeurosis (Galeal aponeurosis), Loose areolar region, Periosteum/Pericranium.

Question 2

Why is the loose areolar tissue zone of the scalp considered a “danger area”?

Answer 2

Because infections can pass into the cranial cavity through emissary veins.

Question 3

What is the Pterion, and why is it clinically significant?

Answer 3

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.

Question 4

What is the orbitomeatal plane?

Answer 4

A horizontal plane that includes the inferior margin of the orbit and the superior margin of the external acoustic meatus.

Question 5

What are emissary veins?

Answer 5

: Valveless veins that drain external veins of the skull into the dural venous sinuses.

Question 6

: Valveless veins that drain external veins of the skull into the dural venous sinuses.

Answer 6

Investing, pretracheal, and prevertebral layers.

Question 7

What is the carotid sheath, and what structures does it contain?

Answer 7

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.

Question 8

What are the muscles of mastication?

Answer 8

Temporalis, masseter, lateral pterygoid, medial pterygoid, and digastric.

Question 9

What is Waldeyer’s ring, and what does it consist of?

Answer 9

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.

Question 10

What is the function of Cranial Nerve I (Olfactory nerve)?

Answer 10

Responsible for smell (sensory).

Question 11

What is the function of Cranial Nerve II (Optic nerve)?

Answer 11

Responsible for vision (sensory).

Question 12

What muscles does Cranial Nerve III (Oculomotor nerve) innervate?

Answer 12

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).

Question 13

What is the function of Cranial Nerve IV (Trochlear nerve)?

Answer 13

Supplies the superior oblique muscle, which helps the eye look down and out.

Question 14

What are the three divisions of Cranial Nerve V (Trigeminal nerve), and what do they innervate?

Answer 14

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).

Question 15

What is the function of Cranial Nerve VII (Facial nerve)?

Answer 15

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.

Question 16

What are the five branches of the facial nerve (CN VII)?

Answer 16

Temporal, Zygomatic, Buccal, Mandibular, Cervical (mnemonic: “To Zanzibar By Motor Car”).

Question 17

What is the function of Cranial Nerve VIII (Vestibulocochlear nerve)?

Answer 17

Responsible for hearing (cochlea) and balance (semicircular canals).

Question 18

What is the function of Cranial Nerve IX (Glossopharyngeal nerve)?

Answer 18

It supplies the stylopharyngeus muscle, provides taste to the posterior 1/3 of the tongue, and general sensation to the pharynx and posterior tongue

Question 19

What is the function of Cranial Nerve X (Vagus nerve)?

Answer 19

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.

Question 20

What is the function of Cranial Nerve XI (Accessory nerve)?

Answer 20

Cranial accessory: Distributed through the vagus to muscles of the pharynx and larynx.

Spinal accessory: Innervates the sternocleidomastoid and trapezius muscles.

Question 21

What is the function of Cranial Nerve XII (Hypoglossal nerve)?

Answer 21

It innervates all muscles of the tongue except the palatoglossus. Damage causes deviation of the tongue to the same side.

Question 22

What are the parasympathetic ganglia of the head and neck, and what do they innervate?

Answer 22

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.

Question 23

What is the clinical significance of the lymphatic system in the head and neck?

Answer 23

The lymphatic system is extensive and can be a pathway for the spread of cancer cells.

Question 24

What is the clinical significance of the middle meningeal artery in relation to the Pterion?

Answer 24

Injury to the Pterion can damage the middle meningeal artery, leading to an extradural hemorrhage.

Question 25

What is the role of the loose areolar tissue in the scalp?

Answer 25

It allows the skin, connective tissue, and aponeurosis to move as a single unit over the periosteum.

Question 26

What are the clinical implications of scalp injuries?

Answer 26

Scalp injuries can cause profuse bleeding due to the rich blood supply and gapping of wounds due to the dense connective tissue.

Question 27

What is diploe, and what is its function?

Answer 27

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.

Question 28

What are the paranasal sinuses, and what are their functions?

Answer 28

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.

Question 29

What are the potential spaces in the neck, and why are they clinically significant?

Answer 29

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.

Question 30

What are the functions of the orbicularis oculi and orbicularis oris muscles?

Answer 30

Orbicularis oculi: Closes the eyelids. Orbicularis oris: Controls the lips.

Question 31

What is the platysma muscle, and what is its function?

Answer 31

The platysma is a superficial muscle in the neck that helps with facial expressions and lowering the jaw.

Question 32

What are the effects of damage to Cranial Nerve III (Oculomotor nerve)?

Answer 32

Damage can cause ptosis (drooping eyelid), dilated pupils, and difficulty moving the eye.

Question 33

What is Bell’s palsy, and which cranial nerve is affected?

Answer 33

Bell’s palsy is a condition caused by damage to Cranial Nerve VII (Facial nerve), leading to paralysis of facial muscles on one side.

Question 34

What are the effects of damage to Cranial Nerve VIII (Vestibulocochlear nerve)?

Answer 34

Damage can cause hearing loss, tinnitus, or balance issues.

Question 35

What happens if Cranial Nerve XII (Hypoglossal nerve) is damaged?

Answer 35

Damage causes the tongue to deviate toward the affected side when protruded.

Question 36

What is the difference between cephalhematoma and caput succedaneum?

Answer 36

Cephalhematoma: A subperiosteal hemorrhage limited to one cranial bone. Caput succedaneum: A diffuse swelling of the scalp due to pressure during birth.

Question 37

What are the superficial lymph nodes of the head and neck?

Answer 37

The superficial lymph nodes include the occipital, preauricular (parotid), submandibular, and submental nodes.

Question 38

What are the parasympathetic ganglia of the head and neck, and what do they innervate?

Answer 38

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.

Question 39

What is the vertebra prominens, and where is it located?

Answer 39

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.