Root of the Neck and Prevertebral Region

Question 1

When the thyroid ima artery is present, it most commonly arises from which artery?

A) Subclavian artery
B) External carotid artery 
C) Internal carotid artery 
D) Thyrocervical trunk
E) Brachiocephalic trunk

Answer 1

E.

The thyroid ima artery is present in about 10% of cases and most commonly arises from the brachiocephalic trunk.

Question 2

The phrenic nerve is closely associated with which of the following structures in the root of the neck?

A) Vagus Nerve
B) Anterior Scalene Muscle
C) Inferior Thyroid Artery
D) Clavicle
E) Superior Cervical Ganglion

Answer 2

B.

The phrenic nerve lies on the anterior aspect of the anterior scalene muscle as it passes inferiorly towards the thorax. As it passes inferiorly, the phrenic nerve passes posterior to the subclavian vein and anterior to the subclavian artery in the root of the neck.

Question 3

The inferior laryngeal artery arises from which major branch of the subclavian artery?

A) Thyrocervical trunk
B) Costocervical trunk
C) Dorsal scapular artery
D) Thoracoacromial artery

Answer 3

A.

The inferior laryngeal artery is a branch of the inferior thyroid artery, which arises from the thyrocervical trunk.

Question 4

Blockage of the internal thoracic artery would mean that the upper two intercostal spaces would receive blood through the posterior intercostal arteries. The posterior intercostal arteries to these spaces arise from which major branch of the subclavian artery?

A) Thyrocervical Trunk
B) Supreme Intercostal Artery
C) Costocervical Trunk
D) Dorsal Scapular Artery

Answer 4

C.
The posterior intercostal arteries to the upper two intercostal spaces arise from the supreme intercostal artery, which is a branch of the costocervical trunk. The key in this question is the “major branch of the subclavian artery,” so the supreme intercostal artery is not the correct answer as it does not immediately arise from the subclavian artery.

Question 5

Which muscle is responsible for anatomically dividing the subclavian artery into its three parts?

A) Anterior scalene muscle
B) Pectoralis minor muscle
C) Subclavius muscle
D) Pectoralis major muscle
E) Sternocleidomastoid muscle

Answer 5

A.

The anterior scalene muscle separates the subclavian artery into its three parts as it attaches to rib I.

Question 6

Name the part of the vertebral artery that is visible in the space between the rectus capitis posterior major, obliquus capitis inferior, and obliquus capitis muscles.

A) Cranial
B) Vertebral
C) Cervical
D) Suboccipital

Answer 6

D.
The space between the three muscles is the Suboccipital triangle. The vertebral artery is seen passing through this space and at this point is known as the Suboccipital part of the vertebral artery.

Question 7

The inferior laryngeal nerve is a terminal branch of which of the following? Be Specific.

A) The Sympathetic Trunk
B) The Phrenic Nerve
C) The Recurrent Laryngeal Nerve
D) The Spinal Accessory Nerve
E) The Hypoglossal Nerve

Answer 7

C.
The recurrent laryngeal nerve is a branch of the Vagus nerve. On the left-hand side, this nerve curves around the ligamentum arteriosus (arch of the aorta) and returns to the larynx. Upon reaching the larynx, the nerve passes over the cricothyroid joint and becomes the inferior laryngeal nerve.

Question 8

The cardiac nerves from the superior cervical ganglion carry which fibers?

A) Preganglionic parasympathetic
B) Preganglionic sympathetic
C) Postganglionic parasympathetic
D) Postganglionic sympathetic

Answer 8

D.
The cardiac nerves are postganglionic branches of the sympathetic nervous system, so they carry postganglionic sympathetic fibers. Not to be confused with cervical cardiac nerves that arise from the Vagus nerve and carry general visceral parasympathetic fibers.

Question 9

The brachiocephalic veins are formed by the meeting of the subclavian vein and which vein?

A) Anterior Jugular Vein
B) Retromandibular Vein
C) Vertebral Vein
D) External Jugular Vein
E) Internal Jugular Vein

Answer 9

E.
The brachiocephalic vein is formed by the meeting of the subclavian vein and the internal jugular vein at the venous angle.

Question 10

The inferior laryngeal artery anastomoses with an artery that arises from which branch of the external carotid artery?

A. Superior thyroid artery
B. Ascending pharyngeal artery 
C. Lingual artery
D. Facial artery
E. Occipital artery

Answer 10

A.
The inferior laryngeal artery anastomoses with the superior laryngeal artery, which arises from the superior thyroid artery. The superior thyroid artery is the first branch of the external carotid artery.