Posterior Triangle - STOP FORGETTING

Question 1

alar ligaments

Answer 1

dens –> foramen magnum

prevent excessive rotation of the skull on the cervical column

Question 2

cruciate ligament components

Answer 2

1. transverse ligament of the atlas
   - keeps dens in contact with anterior arch, prevents posterior dislocation
2. superior longitudinal ligament
3. inferior longitudinal ligament

Question 3

posterior longitudinal ligament

Answer 3

prevents hyper flexion of cervical column

Question 4

nuchal ligament

Answer 4

forms septum in posterior neck and prevents hyperflexion

Question 5

anterior longitudinal ligament

Answer 5

prevents hyperextension of cervical column

Question 6

Hangman’s fracture

Answer 6

bilateral fracture posterior arch of C2 w/ anterior subluxation of C2 on C3

(pars interarticularis fractures)

hyperextension/distraction injury

Question 7

Clay shoveler’s fracture

Answer 7

tip of spinous process C6-T1 shears off

Question 8

Jefferson fracture

Answer 8

compression fracture of C1 anterior and/or posterior arch

lateral masses split

transverse ligament tears

Question 9

Prevertebral fascia covers which m.?

Answer 9

surrounds all m. that attach to cervical vertebrae including…

scalenes
levator scapulae
suboccipital muscles

Question 10

Investing fascia covers which m.?

Answer 10

trapezius

sternocleidomastoids

Question 11

posterior triangle of neck boundaries

Answer 11

Posterior: anterior side of trapezius m.
Anterior: posterior side of SCM
Inferior: middle 1/3 of clavicle
Roof: skin, superficial fascia, platysma, investing layer of deep fascia
Floor: muscles covered by prevertebral fascia

Question 12

Lesser Occipital n. (C2)

Answer 12

follows posterior border of SCM to innervate the scalp behind and above the ear

Question 13

Great Auricular n. (C2,3)

Answer 13

crosses superficial to SCM

innervates the skin over the parotid gland, angle of the jaw and the posterior ear

Question 14

Transverse Cervical Nerves (C2,3)

Answer 14

crosses SCM superficially

sensation for the skin of the front and side of the neck (anterior triangle)

Question 15

Supraclavicular Nerves (C3,4)

Answer 15

medial, intermediate, and lateral branches

supply sensation over the shoulder (from the sternoclavicular joint to the acromion process), lateral neck and anterior upper thoracic wall.

Question 16

cervical plexus

Answer 16

connections between ventral primary rami of C1-C4

great auricular n. (C2,C3)
lesser occipital n. (C2, C3)
transverse cervical n. (C2,C3)
supraclavicular n.s (C3,C4)

Question 17

sensory nerves of the cervical plexus supply sensation to which area of the neck?

Answer 17

area of the neck below the mandible

Question 18

Sensation from the posterior part of the neck and scalp is supplied by dorsal primary rami from

Answer 18

C2 – C4

Question 19

CN XI path

Answer 19

emerges through jugular foramen to innervate SCM

then crosses posterior triangle to supply trapezius

Question 20

posterior portion of scalp and neck is supplied by

Answer 20

dorsal rami of cervical spinal n. from C2-C4

Question 21

scalene m. nerve supply

Answer 21

motor branches of cervical and brachial plexus

Question 22

splenius captius nerve supply

Answer 22

dorsal rami of cervical n.

Question 23

levator scapulae nerve supply

Answer 23

dorsal scapular n.

Question 24

semispinalis capitus nerve supply

Answer 24

dorsal rami of cervical n.

Question 25

suboccipital muscles

Answer 25

obliquius capitus (superior and inferior)

rectus captious posterior (minor and major)

• deepest group
• supplied by br. of dorsal primary rami of occipital n.

Question 26

suboccipital n.

Answer 26

C1 dorsal ramus

supplies muscles of the suboccipital triangle

Question 27

greater occipital n.

Answer 27

C2 dorsal ramus

supplies sensation around vertex of head

Question 28

nerve point - which nerves emerge?

Answer 28

1) great auricular n.
2) lesser occipital n.
3) transverse cervical n.
4) supraclavicular nn.
- -lateral
- -intermediate
- -medial

Question 29

thyrocervical trunk

Answer 29

• suprascapular a
• transverse cervical a
• inferior thyroid a