learning outcomes Flashcards
describe the boundaries of the anterior triangle in the neck
anterior triangle is defined by the anterior midline of the neck, and the posterior border is the anterior border of the sternocleidomastoid
what’s the contents of the anterior triangle
The anterior triangle contains; external carotid artery, facial artery, vagus and glossopharyngeal nerves, hypoglossal nerves, internal jugular, internal carotid and internal jugular, laryngeal nerve and submandibular and submental nodes.
what’s the posterior triangle boundary of the neck
The posterior triangle consists of the anterior posterior border of the sternocleidomastoid and the anterior border of the trapezius forming the posterior border.
posterior neck triangle contents
It only contains the accessory nerve, occipital artery and external jugular vein, cervical nerve plexus and some lymph nodes.
what is the general boundary of the neck
the general boundary of the neck consists of the mandible superiorly, anteriorly the midline, inferiorly the clavicle and the trapezius posteriorly.
what’s the anatomy and function of the thyroid
thyroid gland consists of 2 lobes left and right joined by an isthmus. It produces thyroid hormone and calcitonin. Calcitonin lowers calcium and raises phosphate.
what’s the location and function of the parathyroid glands
there are 4 parathyroid glands that also help regulate calcium and phosphate located posterior to the poles of the thyroid.
what is the arterial supply of the neck and the main artery
The main arteries of the neck are the common carotid which divides at C4. The external carotid supplies the neck through the superior thyroid, ascending pharyngeal, lingual, occipital, facial, posterior auricular, maxillary and superficial temporal.
what is the venous drainage of the neck
Venous drainage arises from the facial vein draining into the internal vein jugular, and the posterior auricular and superficial temporal veins draining into the external jugular. They feed into the subclavian vein forming the brachiocephalic vein.
what is the lymphatic drainage of the neck and grouping of the nodes
there are 600 lymph nodes in the head and neck that drain to the cisterna chyli and then to the thoracic duct on the left. Groups are the parotids, submental, submandibular, supraclavicular, cervical and occipital.
parotid lymph nodes drain
scalp, face and gland
occipital lymph nodes drain
scalp
submandibular lymph nodes drain
tongue, nose, paranasal sinuses, gland, and oral cavity
submental lymph nodes drain
lips and floor of the mouth
supraclavicular cervical lymph nodes drains
breast and solid viscera
deep cervical lymph nodes drain
final drainage to the thoracic duct
common symptoms in head and neck cases
sore throat dysphonia – hoarseness dysphagia odynophagia ulcers neck lumps
common methods for investigation in head and neck
laryngoscopy nasolaryngoscopy fine need aspiration and cytology CT/MRI/PET scan US scan X-ray contrast endoscopy.
treatment modalities for head and neck
surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapy or palliation. May involve neck dissection and flap reconstruction.
common salivary gland conditions
tumours – pleomorphic adenoma
inflammation – parotitis
duct calculus (stones) particularly in submandibular glands
diagnosis and management of tonsillitis
tonsillitis bacterial infection often presents with neck nodes, pus covered tonsils, fever with no cough. Often self limiting but if re-occurring regularly then offer tonsillectomy.
how to assess a hoarse patient with a history
how long it’s been present, if there’s a pattern, pain, any coughing or choking when swallowing, voice use, asthma, smoker or medication use.
how to assess a patient with dysphagia with a history
solids vs liquids difficulty, whether it’s got a pattern, if it’s painful and where.
how to assess a patient with a neck lump
examine the site, size, shape, pain, skin and fixture of the lump. Ask how long it’s been present, site, pattern, radiation or related symptoms and travel history. Fine need aspirate the lump if possible and then send sample to cytology.
malignant nodes are like
round, firm, irregular, fixed and non-tender.
how to manage a patient with stridor
ABC – secure the airway via intubation, tracheostomy if necessary. Humified oxygen, steroids and adrenaline nebulizer.
oral cavity anatomy
the oral cavity consists of the cavity and vestibule (between lips and teeth). Its boundaries are the lips to the palatoglossal arch, palate to the floor of the mouth and the buccal mucosa.
general sensation of the anterior 2/3rd’s of the tongue arises form
the lingual nerve a branch of the trigeminal nerve V3
anterior 2/3rds of the taste sensation of the tongue is innervated
is the result of the chorda tympani (CN 7 branch facial).
the posterior third of the tongue is supplied by what for both taste and sensation
the posterior 1/3 is supplied by the lingual branch of the glossopharyngeal (9th).
the muscles of the tongue are innervated by
The nerve supply CN 12 the hypoglossal nerve which supplies all except for the palatoglossus which is supplied by the pharyngeal plexus
the palatoglossus is innervated by what nerve
pharyngeal plexus
functions of the tongue are
masticate, swallow and speech.
taste summarized
chemoreceptors; sensory epithelium called gustatory cells projecting hairs via taste pores, are located in between the fungiform papillae. Ions from food are released and stimulate an action potential and travel along the facial, glossopharyngeal and vagus nerve.
mastication is muscles are
lateral pterygoid, medial pterygoid, temporalis and masseter.
mastication is supplied by what nerves
It’s supplied by the CN v3 of the trigeminal nerve and function is to act on the temporomandibular joint to produce a grinding action between the teeth.
swallowing summarized
tongue propels good and initiated reflex. The soft palate and larynx are pulled upwards. The epiglottis seals the larynx and inhibits respiration. The upper oesophageal sphincter relaxes and the bolus is propelled downwards via peristalsis mediated by myenteric plexus.
speech summarized
respiration, phonation from the vocal cords, resonation through the nasal, oral cavity and the nasopharynx. Articulation by lips, tongue and jaw and prosody, emphasis on syllables and tones.
name the various parts of the pharynx and sensory innervation
nasopharynx, oropharynx, and the hypopharynx. The oropharynx and hypopharynx is supplied by the pharyngeal plexus nerves 9 and 10.
the areas of the larynx
the larynx consists of the supraglottis which is from the epiglottis to the ventricular fold. The glottis which is from superior to the true vocal cord to below the vocal cord. And the subglottis which is from below the true vocal cord to the inferior border of the cricoid cartilage.
function of the larynx
the function of the larynx is that it’s a part of the respiratory tract, responsible for the voice and aiding in swallowing.
the motor innervation of the larynx is via
The motor innervation of the larynx is via the recurrent laryngeal nerve which supplies everything but the cricothyroid muscle which is supplied by the external laryngeal nerve.