Neurovascular Structures in the Neck 2 Flashcards
What structures does the vagus follow the course of?
It follows the course of the internal and external carotid arteries and the internal jugular vein – therefore it contributes to a great neurovascular bundles with these vessels.
What is the great neurovascular bundle with the vagus nerve called and what is it surrounded by?
This is called the carotid sinus and it is loosely bound by connective tissue.
How does the vagus nerve enter the thorax?
It runs down the carotid sheath and eventually over the front of the subclavian artery to enter the thorax.
What does the vagus nerve give off after leaving the skull?
It gives off a pharyngeal branch.
What do the fibres of the pharyngeal branch of the vagus nerve form on the surface of the pharyngeal muscle?
They form a meshwork on the surface of the pharyngeal muscles and they carry motor fibres to the pharynx and the palate.
What is the uppermost branch of the vagus nerve to the larynx?
The superior laryngeal nerve.
What does the superior laryngeal nerve divide into?
Divides to give a sensory branch and a motor branch.
What is the sensory branch of the superior laryngeal nerve?
This is the internal laryngeal nerve.
How does the internal laryngeal nerve enter the larynx?
It enters the larynx by piercing a membrane.
What is the motor branch of the superior laryngeal nerve called?
It is called the external laryngeal nerve.
What is the external laryngeal nerve destined to supply?
It is destined to supply one important muscles on the surface of the larynx.
What artery does the superior laryngeal nerve follow to form a neurovascular bundle?
It follows the superior thyroid artery to form a neurovascular bundle.
What is the lower branch of the vagus nerve to the larynx on the right?
This is the right recurrent laryngeal nerve.
How does the right recurrent laryngeal nerve form a neurovascular bundle?
It hooks around the right subclavian artery and ascends with the inferior thyroid artery to form another important neurovascular bundle.
What does the right recurrent laryngeal nerve supply?
It enters the larynx to supply the remainder of the laryngeal muscles.
Where does the left recurrent laryngeal nerve arise?
It arises in the thorax.
What does the left recurrent laryngeal nerve do before it ascends into the neck?
It hooks around the arch of the aorta before ascending into the neck.
What is the relationship of the left recurrent laryngeal nerve with the inferior thyroid artery?
It ascends with the inferior thyroid artery to form another neurovascular bundle.
How does the 11th cranial nerve = the accessory nerve arise?
The cranial root - arise from the brain just below the vagus
The spinal root - arise from the upper part of the spinal cord
When do the 2 roots of the accessory nerve converge?
They join and converge on the vagus nerve just before the 10th and 11th cranial nerves leave the skull.
What happens to the accessory nerve after it leaves the jugular foramen?
They separate again.
What do the cranial fibres of the accessory nerve join after pass through the jugular foramen?
They join the vagus nerve.
What happens to the spinal fibres of the accessory nerve?
They travel on as a separate nerve.
What is the vagus nerve entering the neck a mixture of?
It is actually a mixture of vagoaccessory fibres.