Structure of the neck and cervical spine Flashcards
What are the boundaries of the neck
base of skull and inferior border of the mandible
top of sternum, clavicle and acromonium and c7 vertebrae
what are the boundaries of the anterior triangle of the neck
inferior border of the mandible, anterior edge of SCM, midline of neck
what are the boundaries of the posterior triangle of the neck
posterior egde of SCM, middle 3rd of clavicle, anterior edge of trapezius
what are the 5 compartments of the neck
visceral
2x vascular compartment
vertebral compartment
musculofascial collar
what are the functions of fascia
containment and rigid support for muscles and viscera
slipperiness for structures to slide over each other
condiut for passage of nerves and other vessels
what are the layers of superficial fascia in the neck
subcutaneous tissue and platysma
continuous with superficial fascia of the thorax
connects to mandible and facial muscles
cutaneous nerves, lymph nodes etc present
what muscles does the investing fascia surround
SCM, trapezius, infrahyoid
also parotid and submandibular glands
what structures pierce the deep fascia
ext and ant jugular vein
several nerves including cervical plexus
what are the posterior attachments of investing fascia
ligamentum nuchae & C7 spinous process, surrounds trapezius
what are the anterior attachments of investing fascia
surrounds infrahyoid and SCM, hyoid bone
what are the superior attachments of investing fascia
ext occ.protuberance & sup nuchal line
what are the inferior attachments of investing fascia
spine of scapula, acromion, clavicle, manubrium (see suprasternal space)
what are the lateral attachments of investing fascia
mastoid process & zygomatic arch
what are the components of fascia in the visceral column
anteriorly: pretracheal
posteriorly: buccopharyngeal
laterally: fuses with the carotid sheath as alar fascia
where does alar fascia end
c7
what are the boundaries of the buccopharyngeal fascia
base of skull to thoracic cavity
what are the boundaries of pretracheal fascia
extends from hyoid bone to upper thoracic cavity
blends with fibrous pericardium and aortic arch
what gland is found in the visceral column
thyroid
what is found in the vertebral compartement
vertebral column, pre and post vertebral muscles
scalenes, longus, colli, longus capitus, deep cervical muscles
what fascia does prevertebral fascia blend with
endothoracic fascia
inferior and anterior longitudinal ligament at T3/4
what forms the axillay sheath
prevertebral fascia extends laterally over the first rib to surround axillary vessels and brachial plexus
where does the prevertebral fascia extend posteriorly
along superior nuchal line to ext. occipital protuberance
where does the prevertebral fascia extend anteriorly
to basilar part of occipital bone, area of jugular foramen and carotid canal
where does the prevertebral fascia extend laterally
mastoid process
what ligament does prevertebral fascia attach to
ligementum nuchae
what structures are found in the carotid sheath
common carotid internal carotid part of external carotid internal jugular vein cranial nerve 10 some cervical lymph nodes
where is the carotid sheath
runs from foramen of carotid canal to aortic arch
receives contributions from other layers of deep fascia due to its juxtaposition
where is the pretracheal space
between the investing layer and pretracheal fascia
extends between neck and superior mediastinum
where is the retropharyngeal space
between buccopharyngeal fascia and prevertebral fascia
extends from base of skull to bifurcation of the trachea
where is the third fascial space in the prevertebral layer
covers anterior surface of transverse process and bodies of cervical vertebrae, contains loose CT
area extends from base of skull through posterior mediastinum to diaphragm
what is the hyoid bone connected to
mandible, styloid process, thyroid cartilage, manubrium, scapulae
what ligament is attached to the lesser horn of the hyoid bone
stylohyoid ligament
what does the ligamentum nuchae attach to
ext occipital protuberance, foramen magnum, spinous process of cervical vertebrae. continuous the supraspinous ligament
what is the function of ligamentum nuchae
supports head and resists flexion, attachment point for muscles
at what level is the vertebral prominens
c7
what are the features of cervical vertebrae
bifid spinous processes (c2-6)
foramen transversarium
what level is the atlas bone
c1
what vertebra is the axis
c2
what are the features of the atlas
no body
spinous process is a tubercle
facets articulate with occipital condyles of skull/ dens
what movements does the atlanto occipital joint allow
flexion and extension (condyloid joint)
what movements does the lateral atlanto axial joint allow
rotation of head
assisted by transverse ligament of atlas holding the dens in position
what is the function of the alar ligaments
prevent excessive rotation of the head and neck, connect dens to occipital condyles
between which two vertebrae is there no intervertebral disc
c1 and 2
what structures can be damaged in a whiplash injury
anterior longitudinal ligament
vertebrae may become fractured or dislocated
what level is the bifurcation of the common carotid artery
c3/4
also top of thyroid cartilage and hyoid bone
what level is the lower border of the pharynx and larynx
c6
also upper border of trachea and oesophagus
