Neck Flashcards
What are C1 and C2 called?
C1: atlas
C2: axis
What is special about C7?
Has the vertebra prominens
Which foramina transversaria do the vertebral arteries pass through?
The vertebral arteries pass through the foramina transversaria of C1 - C6 but BYPASS the transverse foramen of C7.
What is the major ligament to prevent hyperextension of the neck?
anterior longitudinal ligament
What is the tectorial membrane?
That’s what the posterior longitudinal ligament is called at C1 and C2.
Netter 23
What is the function of the posterior longitudinal ligament?
prevents hyperflexion of the neck
What is the MAJOR preventer of hyperflexion of the neck?
nuchal ligament
Netter 22
What level is the cruciate ligament at?
unique to C1 and C2
Netter 23
What is the function of the cruciate ligament?
to allow rotation of the skull while preventing damage to the adjacent cervical spinal cord
What level is the alar (check) ligament at?
unique to C1
Netter 23
What is the function of the alar ligaments?
to prevent over-rotation of the skull
What other bones does the hyoid bone articulate with?
NONE
What is the function of the hyoid bone?
The hyoid bone is raised (to allow swallowing) and lowered (to allow respiration).
What are the 4 suprahyoid muscles?
- mylohyoid
- stylohyoid
- geniohyoid
- digastric
Netter 53
What are the 4 infrahyoid muscles?
- sternohyoid
- omohyoid
- sternothyroid
- thyrohyoid
What is contained in the superficial compartment?
Platysma muscle
What 2 sets of muscles are contained in the deep investing compartment?
- Within the deep cervical fascia layer:
SCM
trapezius - Deep to the deep cervical fascia layer:
the infrahyoid muscles
What nerves are contained in the deep investing compartment?
accessory nerve
ansa cervicalis
What glands are contained in the deep investing compartment?
submandibular
parotid
What muscles are contained in the prevertebral compartment?
anterior group - FLEX
posterior group - EXTEND
What nerves are contained in the prevertebral compartment?
phrenic
nerves of the occipital triangle
What are the anterior group (flex) muscles of the prevertebral compartment?
longus colli and longus capitus
scalenes (anterior, middle, posterior)
What are the posterior group (extend) muscles of the prevertebral compartment?
- erector spinae muscles (longissimus, spinalis)
- deep cervical muscles (splenius, semispinalis capitis)
- muscles of the occipital triangle (rectus capitis, obliquus capitis)
What is in the pretracheal compartment?
thyroid parathyroid larynx trachea esophagus
What is in the carotid compartment?
common carotid artery
vagus nerve
internal jugular vein
What is in the retropharyngeal compartment? Why is it important?
NOTHING is in this compartment - it is a potential route for infections of the throat to spread to the root of the neck and mediastinum.
What separates the anterior and posterior triangles of the neck?
sternocleidomastoid muscle
What are the borders of the anterior triangle of the neck?
midline, mandible, anterior edge of SCM
What are the borders of the posterior triangle of the neck?
clavicle
lateral edge of trapezius
posterior edge of SCM
What are the contents of the root of the neck?
brachiocephalic trunk
subclavian artery on the right
subclavian artery on the left
contents of the pretracheal fascia
What are the 2 sub-triangles of the posterior triangle?
- omoclavicular or subclavian triangle
2. occipital triangle
What is the most important structure of the occipital sub-triangle of the posterior triangle?
the accessory nerve (CN XI)
What are the 4 sub-triangles of the anterior triangle of the neck?
- muscular triangle
- carotid triangle
- submandibular triangle
- mental triangle
What are the contents of the muscular triangle of the anterior triangle?
infrahyoid muscles
thyroid and parathyroid glands
What are the contents of the carotid triangle of the anterior triangle?
carotid sheath and its contents
inferior root of the ansa cerivcalis
What are the contents of the submandibular triangle of the anterior triangle?
submandibular gland
What runs along with the common carotid artery and internal jugular vein?
vagus nerve
What structure runs on top of the anterior scalene muscle?
phrenic nerve
What structure emerges between the anterior and middle scalene muscles?
trunks of the brachial plexus
What does the submandibular gland make a U-shape around?
mylohyoid muscle
What structure runs along the posterior belly of the digastric muscle?
hypoglossal nerve
What innervates the infrahyoid muscles?
ansa cervicalis does 3 out of the 4:
- sternohyoid
- omohyoid
- sternothyroid
and the 4th is C1:
4. thyrohyoid
