posterior triangle Flashcards
what makes up the superficial fascia of the cervical fascia
- skin
- fatty tissue
- platysma muscle
what is the first layer of the deep fascia of the cervical fascia
investing layer made up of: - sternocleidomastoid muscle - infrahyoid muscle - trapezius muscle
describe the carotid sheath
made up from layer of the pretracheal, prevertebral and investing fascia
- common carotid
- internal jugular vein
- vagus nerve
clinical importance of prevertebral fascia
divides into two layers at the anterior body of the vertebrae
causing a potential space
pretracheal space
- between investing layer and pretcheal layer
- thyroid infections can collect here
- extends inferiorly from the pharynx/larynx down to the anterior part of the superior mediastinum
retropharyngeal space
- between posterior pretracheal layer and anterior prevertebral layer
prevertebral space
- within the prevertebral layer
- between vertebral bodies posteriorly and prevertebral fascia anterior
anterior boundary
posterior border of the sternocleidomastoid muscle
posterior boundary
anterior boarder of trapezius muscle
base of the triangle
superior border of the clavicle
apex of the triangle
is at the back of the skull on the superior nuchal line
roof of the triangle
is formed by the investing layer of the deep fascia
- internal and external jugular vein
what fascia forms the floor of the triangle
is formed by the prevertebral fascia
nerves within the posterior triangle
**accessory nerve
cutaneous branches of the cervical plexus
- as soon as it reaches the posterior border of the sternocleidomastoid muscle this plexus branches
- lesser occipital
- great auricle
- supraclavicular
- transverse cervical
how most likely to find accessory nerve
within superficial fascia is the great auricle nerve, 2cm above this is the accessory nerve (in a deeper plain)
arteries within the posterior triangle
2 branches of the thyrocervical trunk:
- transverse cervical
- suprascapular artery
And
- 3rd part of subclavian
(these arteries are found at the base of the triangle)
where can the brachial plexus be found
between anterior and middle scalene muscles
which muscles make up the floor
(from superior to inferior
- splenius capitis
- levator scapulae
- posterior scalene
- middle scalene
- anterior scalene
- inferior belly of omohyoid
lymphatics
superficial lymph nodes travel around the base of the skull
occipital and mastoid nodes drain back to the superficial cervical nodes
submandibular, parotid and submental drain back to the deep cervical nodes
damage to accessory nerve
accessory nerve innervates the trapezius muscle and therefore damage will mean patients are unable to abduct their arm
