Lecture 2: Organisation of the Neck and Posterior Triangle Flashcards
What is the superior boundary of the neck?
Base of skull
Inferior border of mandible
What is the inferior border of the neck?
Top of sternum
Clavicle
Acromion (anterior)
C7 (posterior)
What are the 3 neck compartments?
Visceral compartment
Vascular compartment
Vertebral compartment
What does the visceral compartment contain?
Parts of digestive and respiratory system
Endocrine glands
What does the vascular compartment contain?
Blood Vessels
CNX (vagus nerve)
What does the vertebral compartment contain?
Cervical vertebrae
Spinal cord
Muscles
Cervical nerves
What are the 3 functions of fascia?
Enclose compartments
Containment and protection
Lubrication (allow structures to slip over each other)
What is the superficial fascia and what does it contain?
Outermost fascia consisting of fatty connective tissue. Connects to mandible and facial muscles. Contains cutaneous nerves, blood vessels, lymphatics and the PLATYSMA muscle.
What is the deep fascia and what does it contain?
Consists of 3 layers - investing, pretracheal and prevertebral layers. Which gives protection and support to contents. Splits into superficial and deep layers to enclose trapezius and SCM.
Name 3 anatomical structures that pierce the investing layer
External and anterior jugular veins.
Nerves including cervical plexus.
What are the 4 superior attachments of the investing layer?
Superior nuchal line of occipital bone.
Mastoid process of temporal bone
Zygomatic arches
Inferior border of mandible
What are the 4 inferior attachments of the investing layer?
Spine of scapula
Acromion
Clavicle
Manubrium
What is the anterior attachment of the investing layer?
Hyoid bone
Posteriorly, the investing layer is continuous with which 2 structures?
Ligamentum nuchae
Periosteum of C7 spinous process.
What feature of the carotid sheath makes it a potential pathway for the spread of infection?
It runs from the foramen of the carotid canal to the aortic arch. It therefore connects the cranial cavity with the mediastinum.
What are the 3 boundaries of the anterior triangle?
Inferior border of mandible
Anterior border of SCM
Midline of neck
What are the 3 boundaries of the posterior triangle?
Posterior border of SCM
Anterior border of trapezius
Middle third of clavicle
Which 4 structures make up the roof of the posterior triangle?
Investing layer
Platysma
Superficial fascia
Skin
Which structure makes up the floor of the posterior triangle
Prevertebral layer (containing splenius capitis, levator scapulae, anterior middle and posterior scalenes.
What is the origin, insertion and innervation of the SCM?
Origin: manubrium and superior surface of middle third clavicle.
Insertion: Lateral surface mastoid process and lateral half superior nuchal line.
Innervation: Spinal Accessory nerve (CNXI)
What is the action of the SCM
Contraction of SCM rotates head to ipsilateral side.
Simultaneous contraction moves head forward/elevates the chin.
What is the origin, insertion and innervation of the trapezius muscle?
Origin: Superior nuchal line, EOP, ligamentum nuchae, spinous processes (C7-T12).
Insertion: Lateral third clavicle, acromion, spine of scapula.
Innervation: Spinal Accessory nerve (CNXI).
What is the action of the trapezius muscle?
Upper fibres - elevation of scapula
Middle fibres - adduction of scapula
Lower fibres - depress scapula
What are the muscular branches of the cervical plexus?
Ansa cervicalis (C1,2,3) - to prevertebral and vertebral muscles. Innervates infrahyoid muscles EXCEPT THYROHYOID.
Phrenic nerve (C3,4,5)
