ANA1 L9 Neck

• What is the anatomical region defined as the neck?


  The region between the lower margin of the mandible and the upper border of the clavicle
• What are the main functions of the neck?

  1. Major conduit for structures passing between the head and body
  2. Location for important organs
  3. Positions the head
• What structures are found in the posterior region of the neck?

  1. Cervical vertebrae
  2. Extensor muscles
• What structures are located in the central region of the neck?

  1. Larynx
  2. Trachea
  3. Pharynx
  4. Esophagus
  5. Carotid arteries
  6. Internal jugular veins
  7. Vagus nerve

  10. Deep cervical lymph nodes
• What structures are found in the anterior region of the neck?


  11. Flexor muscles
• What is the root of the neck?


  The area of the neck immediately above the inlet into the thorax
• What are the associated structures of the root of the neck?

  1. Scalenus anterior
  2. Scalenus medius
  3. Scalenus posterior
  4. Subclavian artery
  5. Subclavian vein
• What bones are found in the neck?

  1. Cervical vertebrae
  2. Hyoid bone
• What nerves supply the back of the neck and scalp?

  • Posterior rami of C2-C5
  • Greater occipital nerve
• What nerves supply the front and sides of the neck?

  • Anterior rami of C2-C4 (cervical plexus)
  • Lesser occipital nerve
  • Great auricular nerve
  • Transverse cutaneous nerve
  • Supraclavicular nerve
• What does the superficial fascia of the neck contain?


  1. Platysma muscle
  2. Cutaneous nerves
  3. Superficial veins: external jugular and anterior jugular veins
  4. Superficial lymph nodes
• What are the layers of deep fascia in the neck?

  1. Investing
  2. Pretracheal
  3. Prevertebral
• What is the function of the deep fascia of the neck?


  • Compartmentalizes structures in the neck
• What is the investing layer of deep fascia?


  • Thick layer
  • Most superficial layer
  • Surrounds entire neck deep to hypodermis
  • Encloses trapezius and SCM muscles
• What is the pretracheal layer of deep fascia?


  • Thin layer
  • Limited to anterior neck
  • Extends from hyoid to thorax
  • Encloses infrahyoid muscles, thyroid gland, trachea, esophagus
• What is the prevertebral layer of deep fascia?


  • Forms a tubular sheath for the vertebral column and associated muscles
  • Includes longus colli, longus capitis, scalenes, and deep cervical muscles
• What are the superficial muscles of the neck?


  1. Platysma
  2. Sternocleidomastoid
  3. Upper trapezius
• What is the origin of the platysma muscle?


  Deep fascia over pectoralis major and deltoid
• What is the insertion of the platysma muscle?


  Body of mandible and angle of mouth
• Which nerve innervates the platysma muscle?


  Facial nerve
• What is the cervical plexus?


  • Formed by the anterior rami of the first 4 cervical nerves
  • Supplies the skin and muscles of the head, neck, and shoulders
• What is the common carotid artery?


  • Runs upward through the neck under the anterior border of SCM
  • Divides into internal and external carotid artery at the level of the thyroid cartilage
• What does the external common carotid artery supply?


  • Supplies face, neck, scalp, tongue, and maxilla
• What are the branches of the external common carotid artery in the neck?


  1. Superior thyroid artery
  2. Ascending pharyngeal artery
• What is the external jugular vein formed by?


  The union of posterior auricular vein and posterior division of retromandibular vein
• Where does the external jugular vein drain?


  Into the subclavian vein at the middle of the clavicle
• How does lymphatic drainage occur in the neck?


  • Lies along the external jugular vein superficial to SCM
  • Drains into deep cervical lymph nodes
  • Regional nodes
• How does the sternocleidomastoid (SCM) divide the neck?


  • Divides the neck into posterior and anterior triangles
• What are the boundaries of the anterior triangle of the neck?


  • Anterior: midline of neck
  • Posterior: anterior SCM
  • Superior: lower mandible
• What are the contents of the anterior triangle of the neck?

  1. Arteries: CCA, ECA, ICA
  2. Veins: IJV
  3. Nerves: vagus, accessory, hypoglossal
  4. Deep cervical lymph nodes
• What are the divisions of the anterior triangle of the neck?


  1. Submental triangle
  2. Digastric triangle
  3. Carotid triangle
  4. Muscular triangle
• What are the boundaries of the posterior triangle of the neck?


  • Anterior: posterior SCM
  • Posterior: anterior upper trapezius
  • Inferior: middle 1/3 of clavicle
• What are the contents of the posterior triangle of the neck?


  1. Arteries: subclavian, superficial cervical, suprascapular, occipital
  2. Veins: EJV, subclavian
  3. Nerves: brachial plexus, cervical plexus, spinal part of accessory nerve
• What are the divisions of the posterior triangle of the neck?


  1. Occipital triangle
  2. Supraclavicular triangle