Posterior Triangle of the Neck

Question 1

Cervical Fascia

Answer 1

Superficial 
Deep
- investing layer
- Prevertebral fascia
- Pretracheal Fascia
- Carotid Sheath
- Retropharyngeal Space
- Suprasternal Space

Question 2

Superficial Fascia

Answer 2

Between the dermis of the skin and the deep investing cervical fascia
Contains the platysma, cutaneous nerves, blood and lymphatic vessels, superficial lymph nodes and fat

Question 3

Deep Fascia - Investing Layer

Answer 3

Ensheathes more highly differentiated structures
Attached to bony prominences
Forms the roof, together with the skin and superficial fascia, of the anterior and posterior triangles of the neck

Question 4

Deep Fascia - Prevertebral Fascia

Answer 4

Surrounds the prevertebral muscles and is continuous with the deep fascia covering the muscular floor of the posterior triangle
Forms a fascial sleeve enveloping deep muscles of the neck

Question 5

Deep Fascia - Pretracheal Fascia

Answer 5

Ill defined layer limited to the front of the neck
Covers infrahyoid muscles and viscera of the neck
Blends with fibrous pericardium inferiorly, and buccopharyngeal fascia of the pharynx superiorly

Question 6

Deep Fascia - Carotid Sheath

Answer 6

Fascial tube that…
Extends from the base of the skull to the root of the neck
Inferiorly = common carotid artery, internal jugular vein, and vagus nerve
Superiorly = internal carotid artery, internal jugular vein, and vagus nerve

Question 7

Deep Fascia - Retropharyngeal Space

Answer 7

Largest and clinically most important interfascial space
Lies between the visceral part of the prevertebral fascia and the buccopharyngeal (pretracheal) fascia of the neck
Opens inferiorly, into the superior mediastinum of the thorax

Question 8

Sternocleidomastoid Region

Answer 8

Key landmark muscle

Divides the neck into Anterior and Lateral Cervical regions

Question 9

Posterior Cervical Region

Answer 9

Region deep to the Trapezius

Muscles include the Trapezius, Splenius, Semispinalis, and Suboccipital muscles

Question 10

Posterior Triangle of the Neck - Lateral Cervical Region - Boundaries

Answer 10

Anteriorly = Posterior border of the SCM
Posteriorly = Anterior border of Trap
Inferiorly = Middle third of the clavicle btw Trap and SCM
Apex = Junction of SCM and Trap at superior nuchal line
Roof = Investing layer of deep fascia
Floor = Prevertebral muscles covered by deep fascia

Question 11

Posterior Triangle of the Neck - Lateral Cervical Region - Muscles

Answer 11

Semispinalis Capitis
Levator Scapulae
Scalenes (Ant.Middle Post)
Omohyoid (posterior belly)
Longus Coli

Question 12

Posterior Triangle of the Neck - Lateral Cervical Region - Muscles (Scalenes)

Answer 12

Anterior = Phrenic nerve on anterior surface
Divides subclavian vein anteriorly from subclavian artery posteriorly
Trunks of brachial plexus posteriorly

Question 13

Posterior Triangle of the Neck - Lateral Cervical Region - Veins

Answer 13

Subclavian
External Jugular
Internal Jugular

Question 14

Posterior Triangle of the Neck - Lateral Cervical Region - Nerves

Answer 14

Brachial Plexus

Cervical Plexus

Question 15

Posterior Triangle of the Neck - Lateral Cervical Region - Nerves - Cervical Plexus

Answer 15

Ventral primary rami of C1-C4
Sensory branches (lesser occipital, great auricular, transverse cervical, supraclaviculars)
Motor branches (C1 to geniohyoid and thyroid, C@ and C3 Ansa cervicalis, Phrenic Nerve C3, 4, 5 keep the diaphragm alive)

Question 16

Posterior Triangle of the Neck - Lateral Cervical Region - Arteries

Answer 16

Transverse cervical
Suprascapular
Occipital
Subclavian