Neck

Question 1

state the layers of the skin and fascia

Answer 1

skin:

• epidermis
• dermis

facia:

• superficial facia (layer of yellow adipose tissue)
• deep facia (separates superficial fascia from deep structures, strong and protective)

Question 2

what are the structures in the neck surrounded by?

Answer 2

subcutaneous - deep to skin - adipose tissue (superficial fascia)

Question 3

describe the role of deep fascia in the neck

Answer 3

deep fascia compartmentalises the structures in the neck. it forms tubes that run down all the way from the mediastinum to the base of the skull. infections tend to only spread within one compartment of the neck, as the deep fascia prevents the spread of infection

Question 4

explain the role of superficial neck fascia

Answer 4

it is a thin layer of adipose tissue in the neck, which contains sensory nerves, platysma muscles, blood vessels, lymphatic vessels and superficial lymph nodes

Question 5

the anterior ramus relays what type of information and where from?

Answer 5

• relays sensory information from anterolateral body walls.

- it then is passed to the spinal nerve, followed by posterior roots.

Question 6

what makes up the cervical plexus?

Answer 6

• great auricular nerve
• transverse cervical nerve
• lesser occipital nerve
• superclavical nerve

Question 7

how does the cervical plexus reach the spinal cord

Answer 7

it breaks into the deep fascia via ‘nerve point’ located at the middle of the sternocleidomastoid posterior border.

Question 8

what is the platysma and what nerve is it supplied by?

Answer 8

the platysma is a muscle of facial expression located in the neck, which is supplied by the facial nerve (CN VII)

Question 9

what are the three distinct layers of deep cervical facia?

Answer 9

• the investing layer
• pretracheal layer
• prevertebral layer

Question 10

describe the function of the investing layer

Answer 10

• it surrounds the entire neck, just deep the superficial fascia.
• within the neck, it splits to contain the left and right sternocleidomastoid and trapezius muscles.
• splits seriously to capsulate the submandibular and parotid salivary glands.

Question 11

describe the function of the pretracheal layer

Answer 11

• contains two parts:
• visceral part: encloses thyroid gland, trachea and oesophagus
• muscular part: encloses strap muscles

Question 12

describe the function of the prevertebral layer

Answer 12

• encloses postural muscles and cervical vertebrae

- includes two separate tubes of fascia: the right and left carotid sheaths.

Question 13

describe the function of the carotid sheaths

Answer 13

• right and left carotid sheaths
• lie in between the prevertebral, pretracheal and investing layer
• contains major vessels and nerves