neck

• Neck is compartmentalized


  • Posterior Compartment - Vertebrae and muscles which support and move head & neck
  • Anterior Compartment - Viscera and rostral continuation GI & Respiratory Systems
  • Lateral Compartment - Blood vessels & nerve
• Posterior Compartment


  • Muscles move head and neck
  • Deep Muscles (like back) - extensor & Suboccipital Muscles
  • Scalene muscles - flex neck laterally
  • Prevertebral Muscles - directly anterior to vertebrae - flex head & neck
• Anterior Compartment - Viscera


  • Trachea is anterior to esophagus
  • Larynx is part of upper end of respiratory system-specialized for sound production; also acts as "sphincter' of respiratory system-Thyroid cartilage is Adam's apple
  • Larynx & Esophagus open into pharynx
  • Pharynx - a tube of muscles & fascia that opens to nasal and oral cavities
• Lateral Compartment - Carotid Sheath


  • Contained in Carotid Sheath: 1) Common and Internal Carotid arteries; 2) Int. jugular vein, 3) Vagus nerve
• Hyoid bone


  1. shaped bone that muscles attach to