Neck anatomy

Question 1

Midline structures

Answer 1

Trachea (anterior)
Recurrent laryngeal (middle)
Oesophagus (posterior)

Question 2

Paratracheal structures

Answer 2

Thyroid
Parathyroids
Carotids
Jugular veins

Question 3

Palpable structures in midline: superior to inferior

jaw to clavicle

Answer 3

• Mandible
• Hyoid bone
• Thyroid cartilage (laryngeal prominence /Adam’s apple)
• Cricothyroid membrane (tracheostomy site)
• Cricoid cartilage
• Trachea

Question 4

Anterior triangle.

a) Borders (superior, lateral, medial)
b) Contents

Answer 4

a) - Superior – inferior border of the mandible (jawbone).
- Lateral – anterior border of the SCM.
- Medial – sagittal line down the midline of the neck.

b) - Carotid (bifurcation of CCA into ICA and ECA)
- Internal jugular vein
- Nerves - CNs (VII, IX, X, XI, XII)
- Muscles - suprahyoid and infrahyoid

Question 5

Posterior triangle.

a) Borders (anterior, posterior, inferior)
b) Contents

Answer 5

a) - Anterior – posterior border of the SCM.
- Posterior – anterior border of the trapezius muscle.
- Inferior – middle 1/3 of the clavicle.

b) - External jugular vein
- CN XI (spinal accessory nerve)

Question 6

Paranasal sinuses.

a) Name the 4
b) Which is not palpable?
c) Which is the most likely source for orbital cellulitis?
d) Functions

Answer 6

a) Frontal, Ethmoid, Sphenoid, Maxillary
b) Sphenoid
c) Ethmoid
d) Humidify inspired air; reduce the weight of the skull.