The posterior traingle of the neck

Question 1

Borders of the posterior triangle

Answer 1

Anterior border- Posterior border of SCM
Posterior border - Anterior border of trapezius
Base - Clavicle

Question 2

Contents of posterior triangle of neck

Answer 2

External jugular vein
roots of brachial plexus
accessory nerve, cervical and supra- clavicular lymph nodes etc.

Question 3

Nerves of neck

Answer 3

lesser occipital ( C2)
Greater auricular (C2,3)
Transverse cervical (C2,3)
Lateral, Intermediate and medial suprclavicular (C3,4)

Question 4

Cutaneous nerves

Answer 4

Greater occipital 
Lesser occipital 
Post rami - C3-5 
Greater auricular 
Transverse cutaneous of neck (C2,3)
Supra- clavicular (C3,4)

Question 5

What passes obliquely over anterior surface of anterior scalene

Answer 5

Anterior and Middle scalene

Question 6

What passes between middle and anterior scalene

Answer 6

Roots of brachial plexus

Question 7

sternocleidomastoid

Answer 7

Mastoid process ( Also attaches to superior nuchal line)
x2 heads :

clavicular head
sternal head

motor =spinal accessory nerve (CN XII)
Pain and proprioception = cervical plexus C2, C3

Question 8

Trapezius

Answer 8

superior nuchal line, spine of scapular - T1- T12

Question 9

Ascending part of trapezius

Answer 9

depresses scapula

Question 10

Transverse part of trapezius

Answer 10

retract scapula

Question 11

Descending part of trapezius

Answer 11

Elevate scapula, rotate glenoid cavity

Question 12

Innervation of trapezius

Answer 12

Spinal accessory nerve (CN XI)

Cervical plexus C3, C4

Question 13

Functions of trapezius

Answer 13

Holds scapular in position - weightlifting

Question 14

Floor of posterior triangle

Answer 14

omohyoid -depress hyoid bone - ans cervicalis
posterior belly passes through posterior triangle

Splenius capitis - extend the neck, rotate- dorsal rami middle cervical
Levator scapulae, middle and anterior scalene

Question 15

Levator scapulae attachments

Answer 15

Transverse processes of atlas and axis, 3rd and 4th C vertebrae to medial scapular border between superior angle and medial end of scapular space

Question 16

Function of levator scapulae

Answer 16

Helps control scapular position, elevate shoulder (with trapezius) shoulder fixed can laterally flex neck to same side .

Question 17

What innervates levator scapulae

Answer 17

Direct C3, 4 and C5 via dorsal scapular nerve

Question 18

Scalenes attachment

Answer 18

From transverse processes of 
C3-6 - Anterior 
C2-7 - Middle 
C4-6 - Posterior 
To rib 1 - Scalene tubercle - anterior and middle 
To rib 2 - Posterior

Question 19

Nerve innervation of Middle scalene

Answer 19

anterior rami C3-7

Question 20

Nerve innervation of Anterior scalene

Answer 20

anterior rami C4-7

Question 21

Nerve innervation of Posterior scalene

Answer 21

anterior rami C5- 7

Question 22

Function of scalene

Answer 22

flex neck ( bilateral), tilt head to same side (unilateral) and elevate ribs