M Shakeel Anatomy/physiology

Question 1

What are the borders of the anterior triangle of the neck?

Answer 1

Anterior: midline
Posterior: sternocleidomastoid
Superior: mandible

Question 2

What are the borders of the posterior triangle of the neck

Answer 2

Anterior: sternocleidomastoid
Posterior: trapezius
Inferior: clavicle

Question 3

At what vertebral level does the common carotid divide?

Answer 3

C4

Question 4

Which branch of the common carotid artery has branches within the neck

Answer 4

External carotid

Question 5

How many levels are there in the neck, what are their locations and why are they relevant?

Answer 5

6
Level 1 is submental/ submandibular. 2+3+4 equal divisions of the sternocleidomastoid muscle. Level 5 is the posterior triangle and level 6 is between the circothyroid membrane and thyroid cartilage
The levels are used to communicate the locations of lumps in the neck

Question 6

What are the indications for a fine needle aspiration of a neck lump

Answer 6

High risk patients with a suspicious lump

Question 7

What are the three catagories of lymphadenopathy

Answer 7

Infective, inflammatory, malignant

Question 8

Describe the anatomy of the thyroid gland

Answer 8

Two lobes joined by isthmus

Question 9

What are the effects of the hormones produced by the thyroid gland

Answer 9

They influcence metabolic rate, protein synthesis as well as a wide range of other effects (thyroxin is one of them)

Question 10

What do the parathyroid glands secrete and what is its effect

Answer 10

Calcitonin, acts to lower calcium and raise phosphate

Question 11

What type of lump will move when swallowing

Answer 11

Thyroglossal cyst or a pathology which develops within the thyroglossal duct

Question 12

Swollen thyroid gland causing dysphagia and/or breathing difficulties in the neck.

Answer 12

Goiter

Question 13

Auto-antibodies against thyroid-stimulating hormone receptor stimulate receptor resulting in hyperthyroidism

Answer 13

Grave’s disease

Question 14

What are the four main complications of parathyroid disease

Answer 14

Renal calculi, pathological fractures, abdominal pathology, anxiety/depression/confusion/paranoia

Question 15

What is stridor and how can the presence of it at different phases in the breating cycle allow you to identify the location of a pathology

Answer 15

Inspiratory - laryngeal
Expiratory - trachiobronchial
Biphasic - glottic/subglottic

Question 16

Lump forming anterior to sternocleidomastoid at junction between upper and middle thirds

Answer 16

Branchial cyst

Becomes infected/enlarging => excised to prevent further infection

Question 17

Herniation of pharyngeal mucosa between thyropharyngeus and cricopharyngeus muscles of the inferior constrictior of pharynx

Answer 17

Pharyngeal pouch