Neck lumps Flashcards
Name the boundaries of the anterior triangle in the neck
Mandible superiorly
Anterior border of the sternocleidomastoid laterally
Midline medially.
Name the boundaries of the posterior triangle
Posterior border of the sternocleidomastoid anteriorly
Anterior border of the trapezius laterally.
Clavicle inferiorly
Why does your thyroid move when you swallow?
Because it is enveloped in pretracheal fascia.
Swellings in the anterior triangle could be?
Lymph nodes
Branchial cyst
Salivary glands
Carotid body tumor
Swellings in the posterior triangle could be?
Lymph nodes
Cystic hygroma
What would you look for in a neck lump?
Position Movement Size Shape Consistency
Most common cause of neck lumps
Lymph nodes
Cervical lymphadenopathy
Enlargement of the cervical lymph nodes
Causes of cervical lymphadenopathy
Infective
Malignant
Haematological- leukaemia/lymphoma.
What should you do if cervical lymphadenopathy is present?
Look for other nodes
Look for primary sites
Look for hepatosplenomegaly.
Where do thyroglossal cysts occur?
In the thyroglossal tract (the path of embryological development of the thyroid gland)
However usually above the hyoid bone.
What may become infected in a thyroglossal cyst?
Lymphatics within the thyroglossal duct.
On examination- what movement will show a thyroglossal cyst?
It will move with the tongue.
Who will a thyroglossal cyst likely affect?
Teenagers.
Complications associated with thyroglossal cysts?
Sometimes they can fistulate (abnormal connection between two epithelial surfaces) out of the neck.
If big- may cause local effects.
