Quiz 2 Flashcards
What is the neck and what are its functions?
fibromuscular tube that connects the head with the thorax. Its functions include being a passageway for a portion of the respiratory system (the larynx and trachea start in the neck and end in the lungs), is a passageway for portions of the digestive system (the esophagus connects the pharynx to the stomach), is a passage of the brachial plexus from the neck into the upper limb, it is the location of the thyroid and parathyroid endocrine glands, and includes muscle activities such as 1) movement of the head on the neck, 2) stabilizing the head on the neck, 3) movements of the neck, 4) inspiration, 5) deglutition
What are the bones in the neck?
1) cervical vertebrae, which protect the spinal cord and vertebral artery, serve as attachments for muscles, and assist with movement. 2) the hyoid bone, which is an attachment for muscles (especially those of the tongue and pharynx)
What are the regions of the neck?
1) Posterior Neck (contains postural muscles that are innervated by the dorsal rami). 2) Anterior and lateral neck (which divide the region into the posterior and anterior triangles)
What are the boundaries of the posterior triangle?
The posterior border of the sternocleidomastoid, the anterior border of the trapezius, and the middle portion of the clavicle
What are the primary contents of the posterior triangle?
1) spinal/accessory portion of cranial nerve XI, 2) cutaneous branches of cervical plexus of nerves, 3) phrenic nerve
What are the boundaries of the anterior triangle?
the anterior border of the sternocleidomastoid, and the mandible.
What are the primary contents of the anterior triangle?
the hyoid bone (level of C3), thyroid cartilage (part of both larynx and pharynx– C4-C5), cricoid cartilage (primary cartilage of the larynx– C6), superior portion of the trachea, and thyroid glands (C5 to T1 and covered by infrahyoid muscles), submandibular salivary gland
How can the thyroid cartilage be easily identified?
It has a prominent projection, the laryngeal prominence (Adam’s apple)
What is the vertebral level of the hyoid bone?
C3
What is the vertebral level of the thyroid cartilage?
C4-C5
What is the vertebral level of the cricoid cartilage?
C6
What is the vertebral level of the thyroid gland?
C5-T1
What is the carotid sheath?
A fascial sheath that is found deep to the sternocleidomastoid muscle. It contains the internal jugular vein, common and internal carotid arteries, deep cervical lymph nodes, carotid sinus nerve, sympathetic nerve fibers, and the vagus nerve. Communicates with the mediastinum of the thorax and the cranial cavity, which are pathways for the spread of infection.
What is the viscera contained in the neck?
larynx, trachea, esophagus, thyroid and parathyroid glands
What determines the direction in which an infection in the neck may spread?
Fascial planes
What is the platysma?
A broad, thin sheet of muscle. Muscle of facial expression that arises in subcutaneous tissue covering the superior parts of the deltoid and pectoralis major muscle and sweeps superomedially over the clavicle to the inferior border of the mandible.
What does deep cervical fascia consists of and what do they allow for?
Three fascial layers: investing pretracheal, and prevertebral, which support the viscera, muscles, vessels, and deep lymph nodes. The fascial layers privode the slipperiness that allows structures in the neck to move and pass over one another without difficulty, such as when you swallow.
What is the advantage of natural cleavage planes and what forms them?
They are formed by the layers of the deep cervical fascia. The natural cleavage planes allows for separation of tissues during surgery.
Describe the investing layer of deep cervical fascia.
Most superficial layer. Surrounds the entire neck. Deep to subcutaneous tissue. At the four corners of the neck, the investing layer splits into superficial and deep layers of deep fascia to encole the right and left SCM and trapezius. Superiorly, it attaches to the superior nuchal line of the occipital bone, mastoid processes, zygomatic arches, inferior border of the mandible, hyoid, and spinous processes. Just inferior to the mandibular attachment, it splits to enclose the submandibular gland. Posterior to the mandible, it splits to form the fibrous capsule of the parotid gland. Inferiorly, it attaches to the manubrium, clavicles, acromions, and scapular spines. It covers the C7 spinous process and the nuchal ligament. It is divided into two layers that enclose the SCM. A suprasternal space lies between these layers and encloses tthe inferior ends of the anterior jugular veins and lymph nodes.
Describe the pretracheal layer of deep cervical fascia
The pretracheal layer of deep cervical fascia is limited to the anterior part of the neck. It extends inferiorly from hyoid to the thorax, where it blends with the fibrous pericardium covering the heart. It includes the thin muscular part (encloses the infrahyoid muscles) and a visceral part, which encloses the thyroid gland, trachea, and esophagus. Continuous with the buccopharyngeal fascia and blends with carotid sheaths.
Describe the prevertebral layer of deep cervical fascia.
Forms tubular sheath for the vertebral column and the muscles associated with it, Fuses with the anterior longitudinal ligamnt at T3. Extends as the axillary sheath, which surrounds the axillary vessels and the brachial plexus.
Describe the retropharyngeal space.
permits movement of the pharynx, esophagus, larynx, and trachea relative to the vertebral column during swallowing. Largest and most clinically important space in the neck because it is the major pathway for the spread of infection.
What helps prevent the spread of abscesses?
the investing layer of deep cervical fascia.
What separates the sternal and clavicular heads of the sternocleiodomastoid?
the lesser supraclavicular fossa