Neck Anatomy Flashcards
List the four compartments of the neck
Vertebral compartment
Vascular compartments
Visceral compartment
Musculofascial compartment
Name the four subdivisions of the anterior triangle
Submental
Submandibular
Carotid
Muscular
What are the bony attachments of the sternocleidomastoid muscle?
Mastoid process
Manubrium (of sternum), Clavicle
What innervates the sternocleidomastoid muscle?
Accessory nerve
Which structure forms the posterior border of the posterior triangle?
Trapezius muscle
Which structures occupy the carotid sheath?
Carotid artery
Internal jugular vein
Vagus nerve
What are the two terminal branches of the external carotid artery?
Superficial temporal artery
Maxillary artery
Name the three parts of the hyoid bone
Greater horn
Lesser horn
Body
Which muscles are collectively known as the “strap muscles”?
Suprahyoid and Infrahyoid
Name the four suprahyoid muscles
Mylohyoid
Geniohyoid
Digastric
Stylohyoid
Name the four infrahyoid muscles
Sternohyoid
Sternothyroid
Omohyoid
Thyrohyoid
Which vertebral roots form the cervical plexus?
Ventral rami of C1 - C4
Describe the anatomical location of the thyroid gland
Visceral compartment of the neck
Vertebral levels C5 - T1
Inferior to thyroid cartilage
Why must the thyroid gland be highly vascularised? Which arteries supply it?
It is an endocrine gland so secretes horomones directly into the blood
Supplied by the superior and inferior thyroid arteries
From which nerve does the recurrent laryngeal nerve arise?
Vagus nerve
Which nerves innervate the thyroid gland?
Superior laryngeal nerve
Recurrent laryngeal nerve
What are the parathyroid glands?
Small endocrine glands on the posterior surface of the thyroid gland
Secrete parathyroid hormone which controls calcium levels
Damage to the parathyroid glands can cause hypocalcaemia
Name the suprahyoid muscles
Mylohyoid
Geniohyoid
Stylohyoid
Digastric (anterior and posterior bellies)
Name the infrahyoid muscles and their innervation
Sternohyoid - C1-C3
Omohyoid - C1-C3
Sternothyroid - C2 and C3
Thyrohyoid - C1 via hypoglossal nerve
What structures are found in the temporal fossa?
Majority of the temporalis muscle
Superficial temporal artery
Deep temporal artery and nerves
What is the infratemporal fossa?
Infratemporal fossa - an irregular space located deep to the masseter muscle and zygomatic arch
Which foramina open into the roof of the infratemporal fossa from the cranial cavity? Which structures pass through these foramen?
Foramen ovale - mandibular nerve and motor root of trigeminal nerve
Foramen spinosum - middle meningeal artery, middle meningeal vein, and the meningeal branch of the mandibular nerve
Which structures are located in the infratemporal fossa?
Medial and lateral pterygoid muscles Mandibular nerve and its sensory branches Chorda tympani Otic ganglion Maxillary artery and vein Middle meningeal artery and vein Pterygoid venous plexus
Describe the relation of the muscles of mastication to the infratemporal fossa
Medial and lateral pterygoids are located within the fossa
Masseter and Temporalis muscles insert/originate into borders of the fossa
List the branches of the mandibular branch of the trigeminal nerve
Auriculotemporal nerve
Buccal nerve
Lingual nerve
Inferior alveolar nerve
What is the otic ganglion?
A small group of parasympathetic nerve bodies located immediately below the foramen ovale in the infratemporal fossa, on the medial surface of the mandibular nerve
Nerve fibres from the ganglion travel with the auriculotemporal nerve to innervate the parotid gland
