Root of Neck Flashcards
what is the root of the neck
junction between thorax and neck that contains visceral and neurovascular structures
anterior boundary of root of neck
top of manubrium & superior border of clavicle
posterior boundary of root of neck
body of T1 & superior margin of scapula to cricoid cartilage
lateral boundary of root of neck
first pair of ribs & costal cartilages
inferior boundary of root of neck
superior thoracic aperture and axillary inlets
the subclavian artery becomes what and where at
becomes the axillary artery at the lateral border of the first rib
the subclavian vein becomes what and where at
becomes the axillary vein at the lateral border of the first rib
what is a rami
anterior division of a spinal nerve
what major nerve structure passes through the axillary inlets
brachial plexus
what forms the brachial plexus
anterior rami of 5 spinal nerves; C5-C8 and T1
how does the brachial plexus divide
3 trunks (superior, middle, inferior) to
3 anterior divisions (superior, middle, inferior) to
5 main terminal branches
5 terminal branches of cervical plexus
radial nerve
median nerve
ulnar nerve
musculocutaneous nerve
axillary nerve
cervical pleura
region of parietal pleura that extends through superior thoracic aperture to cover apex of lungs
what covers the surface of the lungs
visceral pleura
what does parietal pleura do
lines pulmonary cavities i.e. thoracic wall and superior surface of diaphragm
what is the pleural cupola
is when the cervical pleura forms a dome shape which extends beyond the 1st rib 2-3cm superior to the level of the medial 1/3 of the clavicle
what is suprapleural membrane
it is an extension of endothoracic fascia that reinforces cervical pleura to protect apex of lung and cervical fascia
what does the suprapleural membrane do
acts as a barrier to prevent changes in interthoracic pressure drawing upon contents of the neck
3 branches that come off the aortic arch
- brachiocephalic trunk - branching to right CCA & right subclavian arteries
- left CCA artery
- left subclavian artery
what covers the brachiocephalic trunk anteriorly
right sternohyoid and sternothyroid muscles
what runs parallel to left common carotid artery
vagus nerve
subclavian artery is divided into 3 parts
- medial to anterior scalene
- posterior to anterior scalene (can’t visualise with this in place)
- lateral to anterior scalene
arterial branches from 1st part of subclavian
vertebral artery // internal thoracic artery // thyrocervical artery
arterial branches from 2nd part of subclavian
costocervical trunk
arterial branches from 3rd part of artery
dorsal scapular artery
4 parts of vertebral artery
- cervical part
- vertebral part
- suboccipital part
- cranial part
what do the 2 vertebral arteries join to become
basilar artery
thyrocervical artery arises to give off
inferior thyroid artery
transverse cervical artery
suprascapular artery
final branch of 1st part of subclavian is the internal thoracic artery - what does it supply
intercostal spaces between the ribs
from the second part of the subclavian artery arises the
costocervical trunk
costocervical trunk divides into
- supreme intercostal artery
- deep cervical artery
3rd part of subclavian artery branches into
dorsal scapular artery
the subclavian vein is a continuation of what
the axillary vein
where is the subclavian vein in relation to the subclavian artery
runs parallel and anterior to the subclavian artery as well as anterior to the anterior scalene
the one tributary of the subclavian vein is
the external jugular vein
brachiocephalic vein is formed by
union of IJV and subclavian vein at the venous angle
where does the IJV end
posterior to the medial end of the clavicle
the venous angle is the site where
the thoracic duct (LHS) and the right lymphatic system (RHS) drain lymph collected through the body
4 anterior prevertebral muscles
longus colli
longus capitis
rectus capitis anterior
anterior scalene
4 lateral prevertebral muscles
rectus capitis lateralis
splenius capitis
levator scapulae
middle & posterior scalenes
where are the prevertebral muscles found
posterior to the cervical viscera and anterolaterally to the cervical vertebral column
function of longus colli
flexes neck with rotation to opposite side (laterally)
function of longus capitis, rectus capitis anterior & anterior scalene
these all flex the head
function of rectus capitis lateralis
flexes & stabilises head
function of splenius capitis
laterally flexes & rotates head and neck to same side; bilaterally extends head and neck
function of levator scapulae
elevates and rotates scapula
middle & posterior scalenes
flex neck laterally. middle elevates 1st rib, posterior elevates 2nd rib during forced inspiration
where does the phrenic nerve run
anterior to anterior scalene
what emerges from between the anterior and middle scalenes
anterior rami of C5 to T1
what does the anterior rami of C5 to T1 go on to from
the brachial plexus
