The Posterior Triangle of the Neck Flashcards
What are the boundaries of the Posterior Triangle?
Anterior: Posterior Border of Sternomastoid Muscle
Posterior: Anterior Border of Trapezius Muscle
Base: Intermediate 1/3rd of Clavicle
Roof of Posterior Triangle
Superficial to Deep:
Skin
Superficial Fascia (containing Platysma and External Jugular Vein)
Investing Layer of Deep Cervical Fascia
Floor of Posterior Triangle
Scalenus Medius
Levator Scapulae
Splenius Capitis
Small part of Semispinalis Capitis
All covered by Prevertebral Fascia
What are the Contents of the Posterior Triangle?
Nerves
Vessels
Muscles
Contents of Posterior Triangle
What are the Nerves?
Spinal Accessory Nerves
Four Cutaneous Branches of Cervical Plexus
Roots and Trunks of Brachial Plexus
Contents of Posterior Triangle
Spinal Accessory Nerve: Spinal Segments
C1 - C5
Contents of Posterior Triangle: Spinal Accessory Nerve
Pathway
Appears at Posterior Border of Sternomastoid
Descends parallel to Levator Scapulae
Ends in Deep Surface of Trapezius Muscle
Contents of Posterior Triangle: Spinal Accessory Nerve
Damage
Causes paralysis of Sternomastoid and Trapezius Muscles
Face turns towards paralysed side
Contents of Posterior Triangle
Cervical Plexus: Cutaneous Branches
Lesser Occipital Nerve (C2)
Greater Auricular Nerve (C2, 3)
Transverse Cervical Nerve (C2, 3)
Supraclavicular Nerve (C3, 4)
Contents of Posterior Triangle: Cervical Plexus
Lesser Occipital Nerve Pathway
Ascends along Posterior Border of Sternomastoid
Contents of Posterior Triangle: Cervical Plexus
Lesser Occipital Nerve supplies …
Posterior Part of Scalp
Contents of Posterior Triangle: Cervical Plexus
Greater Auricular Nerve Pathway
Crosses Sternomastoid towards Angle of Mandible
Contents of Posterior Triangle: Cervical Plexus
Greater Auricular Nerve supplies …
Overlying Skin at Angle of Mandible
Contents of Posterior Triangle: Cervical Plexus
Transverse Cervical Nerve Pathway
Crosses Sternomastoid towards Anterior Triangle
Contents of Posterior Triangle: Cervical Plexus
Transverse Cervical Nerve supplies …
skin of front of neck
Contents of Posterior Triangle: Cervical Plexus
Supraclavicular Nerve Pathway
Descend as Medial, Intermediate and Lateral Groups
Contents of Posterior Triangle: Cervical Plexus
Supraclavicular Nerve supplies …
skin on front of upper chest
Contents of Posterior Triangle
Brachial Plexus location
Lower Part of Posterior Triangle
Between Scalenus Anterior and Scalenus Medius