Organisation of the Neck and Posterior Triangle Flashcards
What are the vertebral columns/compartments surrounded by fascia in the neck?
3 Compartments
Visceral compartment, 2x Vascular compartments, vertebral compartment
Whats the contents of the visceral compartment of the neck?
Contains parts of respiratory system, digestive system & endocrine glands
(such as trachea, oesophagus etc)
whats the contents of the vascular compartment of the neck?
Contains blood vessels (Common carotid, Internal jugular) and Vagus Nerve (CN X)
whats the contents of the vertebral compartment of the neck?
Contains cervical vertebrae, spinal cord, muscles & cervical nerves
What is superficial fascia?
fatty connective tissue containing cutaneous nerves, blood vessels, lymphatics, contains the platysma in the neck
what is the investing layer of fascia?
surrounds neck completely found deep below the superficial fascia
What are the boundaries of the anterior triangle of the neck?
Bounded by inferior border of mandible, anterior border of SCM & midline of neck
what are the boundaries of the posterior triangle of the neck?
Bounded by posterior border of SCM, middle 3rd of clavicle and anterior border of trapezius
what is the roof and floor of the posterior triangle?
Roof: Deep cervical fascia (investing layer), platysma, superficial fascia & skin
Floor: Prevertebral fascia surrounding the muscles at the floor of the triangle (anterior, middle posterior scalenes, Levator scapulae, Splenius capitis)
what are the full contents of the posterior triangle of the neck?
- Spinal accessory nerve
- Subclavian artery and vein
- Brachial plexus-trunks
- Inferior belly of omohyoid muscle
What are the attachments, nerve supply and actions of the sternocleidomastoid?
Origin: manubrium & superior surface of medial 3rd clavicle
Inserts: lateral surface of mastoid process (temporal bone) & lateral half of superior nuchal line (occipital bone)
Innervation: Spinal accessory nerve (CN XI)
Actions: Draws head forwards (both contracting) & also turns head towards contracting side
What are the attachments, nerve supply and actions of the trapezius?
Origin: Superior nuchal line, occipital bone (protuberance), ligamentum nuchae, Spinous processes (C7-T12)
Inserts: Lateral 3rd clavicle, spine of scapula
Innervation: Spinal accessory nerve (CN XI)
Actions: rotation, elevation & depression of scapula
what is the cervical plexus?
the cervical plexus is a bundle of nerves of the anterior rami of C1, C2, C3, C4 (cervical vertebrae)
what are the muscular branches of the cervical plexus?
Phrenic nerve (C3, C4, C5)
Ansa cervicalis (C1, C2, C3)
[branches to prevertebral & vertebral muscles]
what are the cutaneous branches of the cervical plexus?
Lesser occipital nerves (C2)
Greater auricular & transverse cervical nerves (C2, C3)
Supraclavicular nerves (C3, C4)