Root Of Neck Flashcards
At what vertebral level does the larynx become the trachea?
C6
At what vertebral level does the pharynx turn into the esophagus?
C6
Do air and food both travel through the pharynx?
Yes
Which cartilage is associated with the laryngeal prominence (Adams Apple)?
Thyroid cartilage
Which is more superior: thyroid cartilage or cricoid cartilage?
Thyroid cartilage
What structure is cut during a cricothyrotomy?
Cricothyroid membrane
Which of the two, tracheotomy or cricothyrotomy is often done in an emergency room setting?
Tracheotomy
Cricothyrotomy is an emergency procedure
What is the name of the lobe on the thyroid gland that can sometimes be seen extending superiorly from the isthmus of the thyroid?
Pyramidal lobe
What are the three arteries that supply the thyroid gland?
- Superior thyroid artery (ECA)
- Inferior thyroid artery (thyrocervical trunk)
- Thyroid ima artery (brachiocephalic trunk or aortic arch)*
What are the three veins that drain the thyroid gland?
- Superior thyroid vein (IJV)
- Middle thyroid vein (IJV)
- Inferior thyroid vein (brachiocephalic vein)
What is at risk for being damaged in a thyroidectomy?
- Parathyroid glands (blood calcium)
- External laryngeal nerve (cricothyroid muscle)
- Recurrent laryngeal nerve (laryngeal muscles)
What marks the transition from thorax to neck?
Root of neck
What arteries are found at the root of the neck?
- Subclavian: vertebral artery, thyrocervical trunk, internal thoracic artery
What are the three branches of the thyrocervical trunk?
- Inferior thyroid artery
- Transverse cervical artery
- Suprascapular artery
T/F: The transverse cervical artery and transverse cervical nerve run in opposite directions.
True
Where does the vertebral artery enter into the vertebral column?
Transverse foramen of C6
What is the first branch off of the subclavian artery?
Vertebral artery
What larger vein does the vertebral vein drain in to?
Brachiocephalic vein
What are the four major nerves in the root of the neck?
- Phrenic (C3-C5)
- Vagus
- Recurrent laryngeal (from vagus)
- Sympathetics
Where does the phrenic nerve pass between as it goes into the root of the neck?
Between subclavian vein and artery
T/F: The vagus nerve descends in the carotid sheath.
TRUE
What nerve provides all parasympathetic innervation to the neck?
CN X
Describe the path of the recurrent laryngeal nerve.
Splits off of CN X -> moves superiorly between trachea and esophogus -> innervates laryngeal muscles
Which recurrent laryngeal artery loops under and behind the arch of the aorta?
Left recurrent laryngeal nerve