Chapter 13: Surface Anatomy

Question 1

Define Surface Anatomy

Answer 1

A branch of gross anatomy that examines shapes and markings on the surface of the body as they relate to deeper structures.

Question 2

Discuss the importance of surface anatomy.

Answer 2

• Essential to locating/identifying anatomic structures

- Healthcare professionals use surface anatomy to help diagnose medical conditions and treat patients.

Question 3

List and describe the 4 techniques used to examine surface anatomy

Answer 3

1. Visual
   
   • Directly observe the structure and markings of surface features
2. Palpation
   
   • Feeling with firm pressure and perceiving by the sense of touch
   • Precisely locate and identify anatomic features under the skin
3. Percussion
   
   • Tap sharply on specific body body sites to detect resonating vibrations
4. Auscultation
   
   • listen to sounds emitted from organs

Question 4

Identify 5 major regions.

Answer 4

1. Head/Cranial
2. Neck/Cervical
3. Trunk
4. Upper Limb and Shoulder
5. Lower Limb

Question 5

Be able to identify the structures in the head/cranial region. (20)

Answer 5

• Cranium
• Frontal region
• Temporal region
• Superficial temporal artery
• Occipital region
• External occipital protuberance
• Face
• External auditory canal (meatus)
• Auricle
• Mastoid Process
• Orbits
• Eyeballs
• Eyebrows
• Eyelids (palpebrae)
• Nose
• Nostrils (external nares)
• Oral region
• Lips
• Philtrum
• Mentum (chin)

Question 6

Be able to identify the structures in the neck/cervical region. (11)

Answer 6

• Larynx
• Thyroid cartilage
• Laryngeal prominence
• Trachea
• Sternal Notch
• Nuchal Region
• Vertebra prominens
• Ligamentun nuchae
• Sternocleidomastoid muscle
• Anterior triangle
• Posterior triangle

Question 7

Be able to identify the structures in the trunk region. (24)

Answer 7

Thorax Region
- Clavicle
- Sternal Notch
- Rib cage
- Costal margins
- Costal angle
- Xiphoid process
- Sternum
- Sternal angle
- Manubrium
- Breast
- Areola
- Nipple
Abdominopelvic Region
- Umbilicus
- Pubic bones
- Rectus abdominis
- Tendonous intersections
- ASIS
- Inguinal ligament
- Pubic tubercle
Back region
- Scapular features
- Major muscles
- Vertebral features and spinal levels
- Triangle of auscultation
- Iliac crests

Question 8

Be able to identify the structures in the upper limb/shoulder region. (11)

Answer 8

• Major muscles and prominent boney landmarks
• Axilla
• Brachium
• Brachial artery
• Cubital fascia
• Ulnar nerve
• Pulse of radial artery
• Pulse of ulnar arty
• Thenar eminence
• Hypothenar eminence
• Anatomical snuff box

Question 9

Be able to identify the structures in the lower limb region. (9)

Answer 9

• Major muscles and boney landmarks
• Gluteal fold
• Gluteal (natal cleft)
• Locations of sciative nerve, femoral triangle
• Greater trochanter
• Popliteal fossa
• Pulse of posterior tibial artery
• Iliotibial tract (IT band)
• Location for pulse of dosalis pedis artery

Question 10

Triangles of the Neck are divided into Anterior, Lateral and Posterior regions.

List the 4 subdivided triangles of the anterior triangle and list the significance each.

Answer 10

Anterior Triangle:
1. Submental triangle

2. Submandible triangle
3. Carotid triangle
   - palpate for a pulse here
   - internal jugular vein
4. Muscular triangle
   - sternohyoid, sternothyroid, thyroid gland
   - cervical lymph nodes

Question 11

Triangles of the Neck are divided into Anterior, Lateral and Posterior regions.

List the 2 subdivided triangles of the posterior triangle and list the significance of each.

Answer 11

Posterior Triangle

1. Occipital triangle
   - external jugular vein
   - brachial plexus
   - some lymph nodes
   - accessory nerve
2. Supraclavicular triangle