posterior triangle

Question 1

what makes up the superficial fascia of the cervical fascia

Answer 1

• skin
• fatty tissue
• platysma muscle

Question 2

what is the first layer of the deep fascia of the cervical fascia

Answer 2

investing layer
made up of:
  - sternocleidomastoid muscle
  - infrahyoid muscle
  - trapezius muscle

Question 3

describe the carotid sheath

Answer 3

made up from layer of the pretracheal, prevertebral and investing fascia

• common carotid
• internal jugular vein
• vagus nerve

Question 4

clinical importance of prevertebral fascia

Answer 4

divides into two layers at the anterior body of the vertebrae
causing a potential space

Question 5

pretracheal space

Answer 5

• 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

Question 6

retropharyngeal space

Answer 6

• between posterior pretracheal layer and anterior prevertebral layer

Question 7

prevertebral space

Answer 7

• within the prevertebral layer

- between vertebral bodies posteriorly and prevertebral fascia anterior

Question 8

anterior boundary

Answer 8

posterior border of the sternocleidomastoid muscle

Question 9

posterior boundary

Answer 9

anterior boarder of trapezius muscle

Question 10

base of the triangle

Answer 10

superior border of the clavicle

Question 11

apex of the triangle

Answer 11

is at the back of the skull on the superior nuchal line

Question 12

roof of the triangle

Answer 12

is formed by the investing layer of the deep fascia

- internal and external jugular vein

Question 13

what fascia forms the floor of the triangle

Answer 13

is formed by the prevertebral fascia

Question 14

nerves within the posterior triangle

Answer 14

**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

Question 15

how most likely to find accessory nerve

Answer 15

within superficial fascia is the great auricle nerve, 2cm above this is the accessory nerve (in a deeper plain)

Question 16

arteries within the posterior triangle

Answer 16

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)

Question 17

where can the brachial plexus be found

Answer 17

between anterior and middle scalene muscles

Question 18

which muscles make up the floor

(from superior to inferior

Answer 18

1. splenius capitis
2. levator scapulae
3. posterior scalene
4. middle scalene
5. anterior scalene
6. inferior belly of omohyoid

Question 19

lymphatics

Answer 19

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

Question 20

damage to accessory nerve

Answer 20

accessory nerve innervates the trapezius muscle and therefore damage will mean patients are unable to abduct their arm