neck anatomy

Question 1

identify the following structures:
- cervical spine and hyoid bone
- major muscle of neck
- oesophagus
- epiglottis
- larynx
- trachea
- major vessels and lymph nodes
of the neck

Question 2

what are the 3 borders that make the anterior triangle of the neck

Answer 2

superiorly = mandible
medially = midline of neck
laterally = anterior border of the sternocleidomastoid muscle

Question 3

what are the 3 borders that make the posterior triangle of the neck

Answer 3

inferiorly = clavicle
medially = posterior border of the sternocleidomastoid muscle
laterally = anterior border of the trapezius muscle

Question 4

identify where the sternocleidomastoid and the trapezius muscle is located

Question 5

which of the internal and external jugular vein is found in the anterior/posterior triangle or none

Answer 5

internal = anterior

external = posterior

Question 6

which if cricoid cartilage, larynx, oesophagus, lungs is found in the anterior/posterior triangle or none

Answer 6

cricoid = anterior
larynx = anterior
oesophagus = anterior
lungs = neither

Question 7

which of the strap muscles, hyoid bone, sternocleidomastoid muscle, trapezius muscle or thyroid cartilage is found in the anterior/posterior triangle or none

Answer 7

strap muscle= anterior
hyoid bone = anterior
sternocleidomastoid = none
trapezius = none
thyroid cartilage = anterior

Question 8

which of the trachea, thyroid gland, common coratid, subclavian artery is found in the anterior/posterior triangle or none

Answer 8

trachea = anterior
thyroid gland = anterior
common coratid = anterior
subclavian = posterior

Question 9

what are the 8 major nodes of the neck

Answer 9

1. submental
2. submandibular
3. preauricular
4. mastoid
5. jugulo-digastric
6. anterior deep cervial chain
7. posterior cervical chain
8. supraclavicular

Question 10

which node found in the neck is the one that enlarges when u have a sore throat

Answer 10

jugulo-digastric

Question 11

what is fascia

Answer 11

band of connective tissue that surrounds and holds every organ, blood vessel, bone, nerve fiber and muscle in place.

• separates, supports and interconnects organs and structures

Question 12

why is fascia made of slippery cells

Answer 12

so structures can slide over each other and dont get trapped

Question 13

what are 2 reasons as to why fascia is of clinical importance

Answer 13

1. forms compartments that can be separated by blunt dissection during surgery
2. limits infection to within the fascia compartment or between fascia planes

Question 14

if malignancy hasn’t spread beyond a fascial plane, surgical clearance can be done more easily

Question 15

what are the 4 fascial sub-compartments of the deep cervical fascia

Answer 15

• pre-tracheal
• carotid sheat
• pre-vertebral
• investing layer

Question 16

what is the superficial cervical fascia continuous with

Answer 16

superficial thoracic fascia

Question 17

what is the prevertebral fascia (found as part of the deep neck fascia) continuous with

Answer 17

axillary sheath

Question 18

what is found within the carotid sheath (fascia)

Answer 18

carotid artery, vagus nerve and deep cervical lymph nodes, internal jugular vein

Question 19

what is found within the pre-vertebral fascia

Answer 19

postural muscles of back and vertebrae

Question 20

what is found within the investing layer (fascia)

Answer 20

all the deep cervical fascia
- carotid sheet and its contents
- pre-vertebral fascia and its ocntents
- pre-trachea fascia and its contents
- and all the muscles of the neck

Question 21

what is the superficial cervical fascia and what does it contain

Answer 21

• flimsy layer of fascia under the skin
• contains :
• platysma
• fat
• nerve and vessel supplying skin
• superficial veins
• superficial lymph nodes

Question 22

what is platysma

Answer 22

a broad sheet of muscle fibres extending from the collar bone to the angle of the jaw.

Question 23

what 4 fascial layers/spaces can allow spread of infection into the mediastinum

Answer 23

• pre-tracheal layer
• pre-tracheal space
• retropharyngeal space
• carotid sheath

Question 24

note the carotid sheet also gives potential for intracranial spread

Question 25

define retropharyngeal space

Answer 25

• space between the pre-tracheal and pre-vertebral fascia

Question 26

where does the retropharyngeal space end inferiorly

Answer 26

T1-T6

Question 27

why is the retropharyngeal space considered a danger space for the spread of infecton

Answer 27

• as it contains loose areolar tissue which forms a perfect route for infection to spread to both sides of the posterior mediastinum down to the diaphragm

Question 28

what is found in the pre-tracheal fascia

Answer 28

• trachea
• oesophagus
• thyroid gland

Question 29

how do you tell the difference between an artery and vein on ultrasound

Answer 29

• arteries are pulsatile and have rounder shape due to higher pressure

Question 30

what colours are vessels on ultrasound

Answer 30

black

Question 31

which side of the ultrasound image is deep or superficial

Answer 31

top of image = superficial
bottom of image = deep

Question 32

which muscle in the neck is used as a surface anatomy landmark to find the internal jugular vein

Answer 32

sternocleidomastoid msucle

Question 33

refer back to images and understand all the structure seen in an axial cervical neck and the fascia and what the fascia contains etc