Narrow Head and neck Flashcards
Vertebral arteries
• Forms part of the vertebrobasilar system
• The vertebral artery is typically divided into 4 segments:
o V1: origin to transverse foramen of C6
o V2: from the transverse foramen of C6 to the transverse foramen of C2
o V3: from C2 to the dura
o V4: from the dura to their confluence to form the basilar artery
Supply:
• Supply the posterior fossa and occipital lobes as well as provides segmental vertebral and spinal column blood supply
Origin:
• Arises from the subclavian artery
Terminates:
• Combines with the contralateral vertebral artery to form the basilar artery
Vertebral arteries: course/relations
• V1:
o runs superoposteriorly between the longus colli and the scalenus anterior
o anteriorly: common carotid artery, vertebral vein, thoracic duct (left VA), lymphatic duct (right VA)
o posteriorly: sympathetic trunk, C7 transverse process, inferior cervical ganglion
o anteromedially: inferior thyroid artery, middle cervical ganglion
• V2:
o passes through transverse foramina of C6-C2 and is accompanied by vertebral veins and sympathetic nerves
• V3:
o emerges from the transverse process of C2 (axis)
o sweeps laterally to pass through the transverse foramen of C1 (atlas)
o passes around the posterior border of the lateral mass of C1 and below the inferior border of the posterior atlanto-occipital membrane
o passing superomedially it pierces the dura and arachnoid to continue as V4
• V4:
o ascends anterior to the roots of the hypoglossal nerve (CN XII), medulla and cerebellum
o joins its contralateral counterpart at the lower border of the pons to form the basilar artery
Vertebral arteries: branches
- Numerous small muscular branches
- Numerous small spinal branches (supplies cord, dura, vertebral bodies)
- Posterior spinal artery
- Anterior spinal artery
- PICA
Vertebral arteries: variant anatomy
• One side is dominant: may due to hypoplasia or absence
• Vertebral artery may terminate as PICA
• Complete or partial vertebral artery duplication
• Vertebral artery fenestration
• Variable origin
o aortic arch origin of left vertebral artery: incidence ~5% (range 3.1-8.3%)
o may be the second (not first branch) of the subclavian artery
o branch of the CCA or thyrocervical trunk
• Vertebral arteries may fail to unite to form the basilar artery (continues as two separate arteries)
• Variable level of entry into the cervical spine transverse foramina
External carotid artery
Description:
• External carotid artery is a major artery of the head and neck
• Supplies neck, face and base of skull
Origin:
• Bifurcation of the common carotid (level of C4)
External carotid artery: Course
- Begins at the level of the upper border of the thyroid cartilage (level of C4)
- Slightly curved course upwards and anteriorly before inclining backwards to the space behind the neck of the mandible
- Along its course, it rapidly diminishes in size and as it does so, gives of various branches
- As it enters the parotid gland, it gives rise to its terminal branches
- Lies deep to facial nerve and retromandibular vein within the parotid
External carotid artery: Branches
• Some Anatomists Like Freaking Out Poor Medical Students o superior thyroid artery o ascending pharyngeal artery o lingual artery o facial artery o occipital artery o posterior auricular artery o maxillary artery (terminal branch) o superficial temporal artery (terminal branch)
External carotid artery: Relations
• Anteriorly (ie. ECA is crossed by these structures)
o upper root of ansa cervicalis
o hypoglossal nerve (CN XII)
o posterior belly of digastric muscle
o stylohyoid muscle and ligament
o facial nerve (CN VII) (within the parotid gland)
• Passing between ECA and ICA
o pharyngeal branch of vagus nerve (CN X)
o glossopharyngeal nerve (CN IX)
o stylopharyngeus muscle
o styloglossus muscle
• Posteriorly (ie. ECA lies on these structures)
o pharyngeal wall
o superior laryngeal branch of vagus nerve (CN X)
o deep lobe of the parotid gland
External carotid artery: variants
• Variations in level of bifurcation
• Variant branching pattern include
o linguofacial trunk (incidence ~20%): common origin lingual and facial arteries
o thyrolingual trunk (incidence ~2.5%): common origin superior thyroid and lingual arteries
o thyrolinguofacial trunk (incidence ~2.5%): common origin superior thyroid, lingual and facial arteries
o common occopito-auricular trunk (incidence ~12.5%): common origin occipital and posterior auricular arteries
Ophthalmic artery
- Ophthalmic artery is a branch off the C6 segment of the internal carotid artery
- Arises medial to the anterior clinoid process after the ICA exits the cavernous sinus
- Passes into the orbit via the optic canal
- Supplies all the structures in the orbit as well as some structures in the nose, face and meninges
Ophthalmic artery: branches
• Orbital group (ASSLIP) o lacrimal artery o supraorbital artery o posterior ethmoidal artery o anterior ethmoidal artery o internal palpebral artery o supratrochlear artery o dorsal nasal artery • Ocular group (CLAMS) o central retinal artery o long posterior ciliary arteries o short posterior ciliary arteries o anterior ciliary artery o muscular artery
Ophthalmic artery: Variants
• Embryologically the orbit has dual supply, from the supraorbital branch (later becomes the MMA) and from the OA, so there can be variation
o communicating branch between the OA and MMA is present (usually passes through the superior orbital fissure)
o regression of OA and entire orbit is supplied by the MMA
• Variations in origin or branching patterns
o MMA can arise from the OA
o OA originates from the MMA
o cavernous origin of ophthalmic artery (less common)
Nasal blood supply
• The arterial supply of the nasal cavity is rich and derives from both the internal and external carotid arteries (mnemonic: GASPS)
• Lateral nasal wall
o anterior and posterior ethmoidal arteries (branch of the opthalmic artery)
o sphenopalatine artery (branch of the maxillary artery)
o pharyngeal artery (branch of the ascending pharyngeal artery)
• Septum
o greater palatine artery (branch of the maxillary artery)
o sphenopalatine artery (branch of the maxillary artery )
o anterior and posterior ethmoid branches (branch of the opthalmic artery )
• Floor
o greater palatine artery (branch of the maxillary artery)
o superior labial arteries
• Rich arterial supply results in two anastomotic areas, which are common sites of epistaxis:
o Woodruff area: anastomosis of sphenopalatine and pharyngeal arteries just posterior to the inferior turbinate
o Kiesselbach plexus: anastomosis of the anterior ethmoid, greater palatine, sphenopalatine and superior labial arteries in the anteroinferior nasal septum
Anterior scalene: Relations
• Anteriorly:
o phrenic nerve, vagus nerve
o ascending cervical artery, transverse cervical artery, suprascapular artery
o internal jugular vein, subclavian vein
o sternocleidomastoid muscle, omohyoid muscle
o clavicle
• Posteriorly:
o second portion of subclavian artery (which is divided in three parts by the muscle)
o spinal nerve roots that make up brachial plexus
• Medially:
o common carotid artery, first portion of subclavian artery, vertebral artery and vein
o stellate ganglion (sympathetic ganglion formed by the fusion of the inferior cervical ganglion and the first thoracic ganglion, located anterior to the transverse process of C7 - occurs in 80% people)
o thoracic duct (left) or right lymphatic duct (right)
• Laterally:
o brachial plexus
o third portion of subclavian artery
Anterior scalene: neurovasculature
Nerve supply:
• Ventral rami of cervical nerves (C4, C5 and C6)
Blood supply:
• Ascending cervical artery (branch of inferior thyroid artery or thyrocervical trunk
Anterior scalene: variants
Variants:
• Spinal nerve roots that make up the brachial plexus may pass through anterior scalene
• Subclavian artery may pass through or anterior to anterior scalene
• May be supplied by the phrenic nerve
Anterior scalene: action
- Elevates first rib (inspiration)
* Adjunct in neck rotation/flexion
Anterior scalene: action
- Elevates first rib (inspiration)
* Adjunct in neck rotation/flexion
Cervical plexus
- Plexus of the ventral rami of C1 to C4 cervical segments
- Located laterally to the transverse processes and deep to the SCM
- Between prevertebral muscles medially and vertebral muscles laterally (scalenus, levator scapulae, splenius cervicis) from lateral side
- Anastomoses with the accessory nerve, hypoglossal nerve and sympathetic trunk
- Branches of the cervical plexus emerge from the posterior triangle
Cervical plexus: branches
• Cutaneous (4 branches):
o great auricular nerve: innervates skin near outer ear and EAM (C2-3)
o transverse cervical nerve: innervates anterior region of neck (C2-3)
o lesser occipital: innervate the skin and the scalp posterosuperior to the auricle (C2-3)
o supraclavicular nerves: innervate region of supraspinatus, shoulder, and upper thoracic region (C3-4)
• Muscular
o ansa cervicalis (loop formed from C1-C3)
geniohyoid (C1), thyrohyoid (C1), sternothyroid, sternohyoid, omohyoid
o Joined by CN XII
o phrenic: innervates diaphragm and the pericardium (C3-C5)
o segmental branches: innervates anterior and middle scalenes (C1-C4)
• Two branches formed by roots of spinal nerves:
o preauricular nerve (posterior roots of C2–C3)
o postauricular nerve (posterior roots of C3–C4)
Constrictor muscles of the pharynx
• Superior, middle, inferior constrictor muscles
• Constrictor muscles overlap each other and are arranged so that the superior one is innermost and the inferior one is outermost
• Primary action is to constrict pharynx to deliver food bolus to oesophagus
• Overlapping arrangement of the three constrictor muscles leaves 4 gaps in the pharyngeal musculature
o superior to the superior constrictor muscle
levator veli palatini muscle, torus tubarius, ascending palatine artery pass
o between superior and middle constrictor muscles
stylopharyngeus muscle, glossopharyngeal nerve (CN IX), stylohyoid ligament pass
o between the middle and inferior constrictor muscles
internal laryngeal nerve, superior laryngeal artery and vein pass
o inferior to the inferior constrictor muscles
recurrent laryngeal nerve, inferior laryngeal artery and vein pass into the larynx
Constrictor muscles of the pharynx: origin and insertion
Origin:
• Superior constrictor - pterygoid hamulus, pterygomandibular raphe
• Middle constrictor - greater and lesser horns of hyoid bone
• Inferior constrictor - cricoid and thyroid cartilage
Insertion:
• Superior constrictor - pharyngeal raphe
• Middle constrictor - pharyngeal raphe
• Inferior constrictor - pharyngeal raphe
Constrictor muscles of the pharynx: neurovasculature
Nerve supply:
• Pharyngeal plexus formed by the vagus (CN X) nerve
Blood supply:
• Ascending pharyngeal
• Tonsillar (branch of the facial artery)
• Greater Palatine and Pharyngeal (branches of maxillary artery)
• Lingual
• Superior and Inferior Laryngeal Arteries
Venous drainage:
• Pharyngeal plexus (formed on the middle constrictor) and draining into the IJV
Lymph drainage:
• Retropharyngeal lymph nodes to the upper or lower deep cervical nodes
External jugular vein
• Drains the head, face and part of the pectoral region
Origin:
• Posterior auricular vein and posterior division of the retromandibular vein unite to form the EJV at the angle of the mandible
o anterior division of the retromandibular vein drains into the facial vein and subsequently the IJV
External jugular vein: course/relation
- Courses inferiorly in the subcutaneous anterolateral neck
- Deep to platysma but superficial to the SCM
- Pierces the deep cervical fascia posterior to the clavicular head of the SCM
- Drain into the subclavian vein
External jugular vein: tributaries
• PAST o Posterior external jugular vein o Anterior jugular vein o Suprascapular vein o Transverse cervical vein
Extraocular muscles
- Six muscles that control eye movement and one muscle that controls eyelid elevation
- Located in the conal space of the orbit
Extraocular muscles: origin and insertion
- Superior rectus - Annulus of Zinn and Eye (anterior superior surface)
- Superior oblique - Sup/med to Annulus of Zinn
- Medial rectus - Annulus of Zinn and Eye (anterior medical surface)
- Lateral rectus - Annulus of Zinn and Eye (anterior lateral surface)
- Inferior oblique - Maxilla and Eye (posterior inferior lateral surface)
- Inferior rectus - Annulus of Zinn and Eye (anterior inferior surface)
- Levator palpebrae superioris - Sphenoid bone and tarsal plate of upper eyelid
Extraocular muscles: action
- Superior rectus - Elevation
- Superior oblique - Intorsion + depression with eye adducted
- Medial rectus - Adduction
- Lateral rectus - Abduction
- Inferior oblique - Extorsion + elevation with eye adducted
- Inferior rectus - Depression
- Levator palpebrae superioris - Retracts and Elevates eyelid
Extraocular muscles: innnervation
- Superior rectus - Occulomotor nerve (superior branch)
- Superior oblique - Trochlear nerve
- Medial rectus - Occulomotor nerve (inferior branch)
- Lateral rectus - Abducens nerve
- Inferior oblique - Occulomotor nerve (inferior branch)
- Inferior rectus - Occulomotor nerve (inferior branch)
- Levator palpebrae superioris - Occulomotor nerve + sympathetics
Extraocular muscles: vasculature
Arterial supply:
• Primarily form opthalmic artery and branches
• Lacrimal artery (branch of opthalmic artery) supplies lateral rectus
• Inferior oblique and interior rectus receive branches of the infraorbital artery
Venous
- Sup opthalmic vein -> cavernous sinus
- Inf opthalmic vein -> pterygoid plexus -> Emmisary veins to cavernous sinus AND joint superficial temporal vein to become retromandoibular vein
Extraocular muscles: relations
- Discuss inside/out of common tendon
- List extraconal/conal/globe/ Optic sheath spaces
Facial nerve
- Seventh cranial nerve
- Motor nerve to facial expression
- Also has taste and parasympathetic fibres
- Facial nerve nucleus in the pons
Facial nerve segments
o segments mnemonic: I Like Going To Makeup Parties
intracranial segment
labyrinthine segment (internal auditory canal to geniculate ganglion) - 3 branches
genu
tympanic segment (from geniculate ganglion to pyramidal eminence)
mastoid segment (from pyramidal eminence to stylomastoid foramen) - 3 branches
parotid / extracranial segment (from stylomastoid foramen to post parotid branches) - 5 branches
Facial Nerve - intracranial
o emerges from the lateral pontomedullary junction and courses anterolaterally through the pontine cistern to the internal auditory canal
Facial nerve - labrynthine
o in the canal the facial lies antero-superiorly
superior and inferior parts of the vestibular nerve take the posterior segments of the canal
cochlear nerve runs antero-inferiorly
Bill bar divides the superior compartment of the internal acoustic meatus into an anterior and posterior compartment
falciform crest divides IAM into superior and inferior parts
o enters the Fallopian canal, passing anterolaterally between and superior to the cochlea (anterior) and vestibule (posterior)
Fallopian canal = bony canal through which the facial nerve traverses the petrous temporal bone, from the internal acoustic meatus to the stylomastoid foramen
o then runs back posteriorly at the geniculate ganglion (where the nervus intermedius joins the facial nerve)
o three branches originate:
greater petrosal nerve: passes forward from the geniculate ganglion to the middle cranial fossa; unites with the deep petrosal nerve and passes to the pterygoid canal to become the nerve of the pterygoid canal (Vidian nerve)
lesser petrosal nerve
external petrosal nerve
Facial nerve - tympanic
o passes posteriorly from the geniculate ganglion between the lateral semicircular canal prominence and promontary
o immediately beneath the lateral semicircular canal in the medial wall of the middle ear cavity
o at the pyramidal eminence, the facial nerve turns inferiorly
Facial nerve - mastoid
o facial nerve descends within the mastoid, exits at the stylomastoid foramen
o branches
nerve to stapedius: arises around pyramidal eminence
chorda tympani: crosses medial to malleolar handle and joins lingual nerve (branch of CNV3) to supply the anterior 2/3 of the tongue
nerve from the auricular branch of the vagus nerve (CN X): pain fibers to the posterior part of the external acoustic meatus
Facial nerve - extracranial
o nerve exits the stylomastoid foramen o gives off posterior auricular nerve o passes between the posterior belly of the digastric muscle and the stylohyoid muscle and enters the parotid gland (also gives nerves off to these muscles) o lying between the deep and superficial lobes of the gland the nerve divides into to main branches at the pes anserinus o mnemonic: Two Zebras Bit My Cock off temporal zygomatic buccal mandibular (marginal) cervical
Facial nerve - function
• Motor control to most of the muscles of facial expression
o also innervates the posterior belly of the digastric, the stylohyoid, and the stapedius muscle of the middle ear
• Taste sensations from the anterior two-thirds of the tongue via the chorda tympani
• Parasympathetic fibers to the submandibular gland and sublingual glands via chorda tympani
Facial nerve - arterial supply
• The facial nerve receives its arterial supply from three main sources:
o labyrinthine artery: a branch of the AICA
o superficial petrosal artery: a branch of the MMA which passes retrogradely along the greater superficial petrosal nerve
o stylomastoid artery: a branch of the occipital artery which pases retrogradely into the stylomastoid foramen
Facial nerve - variants
• Many branching patterns of extracranial facial nerve
Infratemporal Fossa: boundaries
- Medial: lateral pterygoid plate
- Lateral: ramus of the mandible
- Anterior: infratemporal surface of the maxillary sinus
- Posterior: articular tubercle of the temporal bone
- Floor: medial pterygoid muscle
- Roof: greater wing of sphenoid
Infratemporal Fossa: contents
• Muscles o medial pterygoid o lateral pterygoid o temporalis • Arteries o maxillary artery o MMA o buccal o inferior alveolar o deep temporal • Veins o pterygoid venous plexus o retromandibular vein • Nerves o mandibular nerve (V3) o inferior alveolar nerve o lingual nerve o buccal nerve o chorda tympani nerve o otic ganglion
Internal jugular vein
• Major venous return from the brain, upper face and neck
Origin:
• Formed by the sigmoid sinus and the inferior petrosal sinus in or just distal to the jugular foramen
Internal jugular vein : course
- Formed by the union of inferior petrosal and sigmoid dural venous sinuses
- Descends in the carotid sheath with the internal carotid artery
- Vagus nerve (CN X) lies between the two
- Receiving tributaries (Mnemonic: Medical Schools Like Confident People)
- Descends into the thorax usually between the heads of the sternocleidomastoid muscle
- Unites with the subclavian vein to form the brachiocephalic vein just posterior to the sternoclavicular joint
Internal jugular vein: tributaries
- Middle thyroid vein
- Superior thyroid vein
- Lingual vein
- Common facial vein
- Pharyngeal veins
- Thoracic duct on the left side and the right lymphatic duct on the right side open into the angle of union of the internal jugular and subclavian veins
Internal jugular vein: relations
• Surrounded by accompanying jugular lymph nodes
• Relation to internal carotid artery
o C2 - posteriorly
o C3 - posterolaterally
o C4 - laterally
• Vagus nerve (CN X) always situated between the ICA and IJV
• Anteriorly (ie. is crossed by these structures)
o upper third - spinal root of accessory nerve (CN XI)
o middle third- lower root of ansa cervicalis
o lower third - SCM, tendon of omohyoid
• Posteriorly (from superior to inferior as the IJV descends in the neck)
o lateral mass of C1 (atlas)
o middle scalene muscle
o anterior scalene muscle
o pleura of lung apices
Larynx
• The larynx is the entrance to the airway
• It is situated between the root of the tongue and trachea
• Parts: epiglottis, supraglottis, glottis, subglottis
• Larynx houses the vocal cords which is essential for phonation
• Protects the trachea against food aspiration
• The cavity is divided into three parts by mucosal folds:
o false cords divide the upper (vestibule) and middle portion (ventricle) of the larynx
o true cords divides the middle (ventricle) from the subglottis
Larynx: relations
- Posterior: C3 to C6
- Anterior: strap muscles of the neck
- Lateral: carotid space (CCA, IJV, vagus)
Larynx - cartilages
- The framework of the larynx is formed by cartilage: three single and three paired
- Thyroid Cartilage: Largest cartilage of the larynx. It consists of two lamina, the anterior borders of which are fused. The vocal cords are attached to inner surface of the thyroid cartilage near its lower margin.
- Cricoid Cartilage: Smaller. And forms the lower and posterior parts of the wall of the larynx. It consists of two parts: a posterior quadrate lamina, and a narrow anterior arch.
- Epiglottis: Thin lamella of fibrocartilage projecting obliquely upward behind the root of the tongue. It is attached via the thyroepiglottic ligament to the thyroid cartilage and the hyoid bone by the hyoepiglottic ligament.
- Arytenoid Cartilages: Paired cartilages. Situated at the upper border of the lamina of the cricoid cartilage, at the back of the larynx. Each is pyramidal in shape. Mucosal folds pass from the epiglottis to the arytenoid cartilages (aryepiglottic folds).
- Two further paired cartilages lie within the aryepiglottic folds: the corniculate cartilages on top of the arytenoids and cuneiform cartilages immediately lateral in the free margin of the fold.
- Vestibular fold (false vocal cords) attach just superior to the true vocal cords (thyroid cartilage to the arytenoid cartilage)
Larynx: vasculature
Arterial supply:
• Above Vocal Cords - Superior Laryngeal Artery (Branch of Superior Thyroid)
• Below Vocal Cords - Inferior Laryngeal Artery (Branch of Inferior Thyroid)
Venous drainage:
• Above Vocal Cords - Superior Laryngeal Veins to the Superior Thyroid Veins
• Below Vocal Cords - Inferior Laryngeal Veins to the Inferior Thyroid Veins
Lymphatic drainage:
• Deep Cervical Nodes
Larynx: innervation
• Motor:
o Recurrent Laryngeal Nerve
o Except Cricothyroid muscle which is supplied by External Laryngeal Nerve (branch of the Superior Laryngeal)
• Sensory:
o Above Vocal Cords - Internal Laryngeal Nerve (branch of the Superior Laryngeal)
o Below Vocal Cords - Recurrent Laryngeal Nerve
Lymph node levels
Level I: Submental and submandibular nodes
Level Ia: Submental triangle
Level Ib: Submandibular triangle
Level II: Upper jugular nodes
Level III: Middle jugular nodes
Level IV: Lower jugular nodes
Level V: Posterior triangle group
Level Va: Superior posterior triangle group
Level Vb: Inferior posterior triangle group
Level VI: Anterior triangle group
Level VII: Upper mediastinal nodes
Anterior triangle borders:
Mandible, anterior margin of SCM, midline from chin to jugular notch on manubrium
Posterior triangle borders:
Anterior margin of trapezius, posterior margin of SCM, clavicle
Mandible
- The mandible forms the jaw
- It consists of two halves united at the symphysis menti
- Each half has a horizontal body and vertical ramus
Mandible: body
• External surface: o midline ridge indicating the symphysis o mental foramen: inferior to second premolar tooth, allows for the passage of the mental vessels and mental nerve • Internal surface: o mental spines: origin of geniohyoid o fossas for the submental and submandibular salivary glands o mylohyoid groove • Superior (or alveolar) border o attachment of buccinator muscle • Inferior border o groove for the facial artery
Mandible: Ramus
• External surface
o attachment to the masseter muscle
• Inner surface
o mandibular foramen: inferior alveolar vessels and nerve pass into the mandibular canal
mandibular canal runs obliquely downward in the ramus, and then horizontally forward in the body and communicates with alveoli via the incisive nerves through small openings
o lingula mandible: prominent, sharp ridge in front of the mandibular foramen, and attachment for the sphenomandibular ligament
• Lower border
o covered by the parotid gland
o angle of the mandible is at its junction of the posterior border and the body
o medial pterygoid inserts into the angle of the mandible
• Anterior border
o continuous with the oblique line
• Upper border
o consists of the coronoid process (anterior) and the condylar process (posterior), separated by the mandibular notch
Mandible: coronoid processes
- Separated from the condylar process by the mandibular notch
- Temporalis muscle insert into its medial and lateral surfaces
- Masseter muscle also inserts to its lateral surface
Mandible: condylar process
- Consists of two portions - condyle and neck
- Articulates with the articular disk of the TMJ, in the mandibular fossa of the temporal bone
- Lateral pterygoid muscle inserts into condylar neck
Mandible: arterial
- Facial artery (branch of external carotid artery)
- Lingual artery (branch of external carotid artery)
- Inferior alveolar artery (branch of maxillary artery)