Regions of the Neck Flashcards
What defines the upper and lower borders of the neck anteriorly?
lower border of the mandible to the manubrium
What defines the upper and lower borders of the neck posteriorly?
superior nuchal line to C7/T1 disc
What are the 4 compartments of the neck?
vertebral compartment, visceral compartment and two lateral vascular compartments
What is contained within the superficial fascia of the neck?
the platysma muscle (blends with muscles of the face) and the superficial veins of the neck (external jugular vein and anterior jugular vein)
What is the innervation of the platysma muscle?
the cervical branch of the facial nerve
What fascia encloses all of the cylinders in the neck?
the superficial fascia and the investing fascia
What is enclosed within the investing fascia?
trapezius and sternocleidomastoid
What fascia surrounds the vertebral compartment?
prevertebral layer of fascia
What fascia surrounds the visceral compartment?
the pretracheal fascia and buccopharyngeal fascia
What fascia surrounds the vascular compartment?
the carotid sheath
What are the contents of the vertebral compartment of the neck?
cervical vertebrae and postural muscles
What are the contents of the visceral compartment of the neck?
thyroid gland, parathyroid gland and thymus
What are the contents of the vascular compartment of the neck?
carotid artery, internal jugular vein and vagus nerve
What are the boundaries of the anterior triangle of the neck?
sternocleidomastoid, inferior border of the mandible and the midline of the neck
What are the boundaries of the posterior triangle of the neck?
sternocleidomastoid, trapezius, middle third of the clavicle
What muscles are in the anterior triangle of the neck and what are they innervated by?
suprahyoid muscles and infrahyoid ‘strap’ muscles - innervated by anterior rami of cervical nerves
What are the contents of the anterior triangle?
muscles, carotid system, internal jugular vein, anterior jugular vein, glossopharyngeal nerve, vagus nerve, accessory nerve, hypoglossal nerve, thyroid gland
Where does the common carotid divide?
At C3/4 - upper border of the thyroid cartilage
How can you differentiate between the internal and external carotid?
the external carotid branches
What are the branches of the external carotid?
superior thyroid artery, lingual artery, facial artery, occipital artery, posterior auricular artery, ascending pharyngeal artery
Which structure is more lateral in the carotid sheath - the carotid artery or the jugular vein?
the jugular vein
How can you differentiate the 3 nerves which exit from the jugular foramen?
glossopharyngeal goes forward, vagus goes down and accessory goes back
Where is the hypoglossal nerve in relation to the vascular structures in the neck?
superficial to the internal and external carotid and deep to the internal jugular
What are the upper and lower borders of the thyroid gland?
thyroid cartilage above and 6th tracheal ring below
Where is the isthmus of the thyroid gland?
anterior to the 2nd, 3rd and 4th tracheal rings
Why does the thyroid gland move up and down with swallowing?
because it is enclosed in pretracheal fascia which is attached superiorly to the hyoid bone
What structures can be compressed with enlargement of the thyroid gland?
trachea, oesophagus, recurrent laryngeal nerve, internal jugular vein
What is the blood supply of the thyroid?
paired superior thyroid artery (branch of internal carotid) and paired inferior thyroid arteries (branch of subclavian) and occasionally a single thyroid ima artery which may branch off the arch of the aorta
What veins drain the thyroid?
the superior, middle and inferior thyroid veins
Where does the thyroid originate from in development?
the foramen caecum in the tongue
What are the contents of the posterior triangle of the neck?
deep muscles of the neck, neurovascular bundle of the upper limb, accessory nerve
What nerve descends on scalenus anterior in the posterior triangle?
the phrenic nerve
