General Organisation of the Head and Neck

Question 1

What landmarks can be seen with the naked eye on the neck?

Answer 1

• Thyroid cartilage (more prominent in males as it is the Adam’s apple)
• Cricoid cartilage (below the thyroid cartilage)
• Thyroid gland (below the cricoid cartilage)

Question 2

Name the 3 anatomically important muscles of the neck.

Answer 2

1. Platysma
2. Sternocleidomastoid
3. Trapezius

Question 3

Describe the function of platysma.

Answer 3

Draws the corners of the mouth inferiorly and the skin of the neck superiorly if the teeth are clenched.

Question 4

Which nerve supplies platysma?

Answer 4

Facial nerve (Cn.VII)

Question 5

Describe the function of sternocleidomastoid.

Answer 5

Lateral flexion of the neck

Question 6

Which nerve supplies sternocleidomastoid?

Answer 6

Accessory nerve (Cn. XI)

Question 7

Describe the function of trapezius.

Answer 7

Elevating and rotating of the scapula (Shrugging of the shoulders)

Question 8

What nerve supplies the trapezius?

Answer 8

Accessory nerve (Cn. XI)

Question 9

Name 3 anatomical areas found in the neck.

Answer 9

1. Anterior triangle
2. Posterior triangle
3. Carotid triangle

Question 10

What are the anatomical boarders of the posterior triangle?

Answer 10

Anterior: Posterior border of the sternocleidomastoid
Posterior: Anterior border of the trapezius muscle
Inferior: clavicle

Question 11

What are the anatomical boarders of the anterior triangle?

Answer 11

Superiorly: Inferior border of the mandible (jawbone)
Laterally: Medial border of the sternocleidomastoid
Medially: Imaginary sagittal line down midline of body

Question 12

What are the anatomical boarders of the carotid triangle?

Answer 12

Superior: Posterior belly of the digastric muscle.
Lateral: Medial border of the sternocleidomastoid muscle.
Inferior: Superior belly of the omohyoid muscle.

Question 13

Name the 5 layers of fascia within the neck, from outside in.

Answer 13

1. Superficial cervical fascia (loose connective tissue)
2. Investing layer
3. Carotid sheath
4. Pre tracheal fascia
5. Pre visceral fascia

Question 14

What structures are found in the superficial cervical fascia (loose connective tissue) layer?

Answer 14

• Fat
• Lymph nodes
• Platysma
• Cutaneous nerves
• Superficial blood vessels

Question 15

What structures are found in the investing layer of fascia?

Answer 15

• Trapezius
• Sternocleidomastoid
• Partoid and sub-mandibular salivary glands

Question 16

What structures are found in the carotid sheath layer of fascia?

Answer 16

• Common corotid artery
• Internal jugular vein
• Vagus nerve
• Lymph nodes

Question 17

What structures are found in the pre tracheal layer of fascia?

Answer 17

• Thyroid gland
• Trachea
• Esophagus

Question 18

What structures are found in the pre visceral layer of fascia?

Answer 18

• Vertebral bodies

- Inter-vertebral muscles

Question 19

Where does the carotid sheath run to?

Answer 19

The arch of the aorta

Question 20

Where does the pre tracheal fascia run to?

Answer 20

The mediastinum

Question 21

Where does the pre visceral fascia run to?

Answer 21

The brachial plexus

Question 22

What is the back of the pre tracheal fascia also known as?

Answer 22

The buccopharyngeal aspect

Question 23

What is found directly behind the buccopharyngeal aspect?

Answer 23

Retropharyngeal space

Question 24

Why is the Retropharyngeal space of medical concern?

Answer 24

In this space infection can occur which can compress the pharynx or spread to the mediastinum causing mediastinitis.

Question 25

Name the 2 groups of muscles of the face.

Answer 25

1. Muscles of fascial expression | 2. Muscles of mastication (chewing)

Question 26

Which nerve are the muscles of facial expression innervated by?

Answer 26

Facial nerve Cn.VII

Question 27

Which nerve are the muscles of mastication innervated by?

Answer 27

Trigeminal Cn. V

Question 28

What is the name of the main sensory nerve of the face and scalp?

Answer 28

Trigeminal Cn. V

Question 29

Name the 3 key branches of the trigeminal nerve.

Answer 29

1. Opthalmic 2. Maxillary 3. Mandibular

Question 30

Name the 5 key branches of the facial nerve.

Answer 30

REMEMBER: Two Zebras Borrowed My Car ``` Temporal Zygomatic Buccal Marginal Manibular Cervical ```

Question 31

Other than the innervation of muscles of the face, what else is the cranial nerve responsible for?

Answer 31

- Tongue-taste | - Parasympathetic innervation to salivary and lacrimal glands

Question 32

Describe the artery supply of the head and neck.

Answer 32

The common carotid artery is the main arteial supply via its terminal branches. (internal carotid, external carotid, facial artery branch)

Question 33

Describe the venous supply of the head and neck.

Answer 33

The internal jugular vein is the main vein, however the main drainage from the face is the facial vein.