Head and neck

Question 1

what nerve travels on the surface of the IJ ?

Answer 1

ansa cervicalis

Question 2

what is the function of the greater auricular nerve ?

Answer 2

The greater auricular nerve is a superficial branch of the cervical plexus

provides sensory innervation of the pinna and vertical ear canal

Question 3

what are the nerve roots of the cervical plexus ?

Answer 3

C1 - C4

Question 4

What is the anatomical location of the cervical plexus ?

Answer 4

Posterior triangle
Deep to the sternocleidomastoid
It lies anteromedial to the levator scapulae and middle scalene muscles.

Question 5

what nerve roots form the ansa cervicalis ?

Answer 5

formed by nerve roots C1-C3

Question 6

The Ansa cervicalis gives off 4 muscular/motor branches - what are they and what is their function ?

Answer 6

Superior belly of the omohyoid muscle [34]
Inferior belly of omohyoid muscle
Sternohyoid [31]
Sternothyroid [32]

These infrahyoid muscles function to depress the hyoid bone; an important function for swallowing and speech.

Question 7

what vessels are located in the posterior triangle of the neck ?

Answer 7

External jugular vein
subclavian artery (3rd part)

Question 8

what is the attachment for the anterior and middle scalene muscles ?

Answer 8

First rib

Question 9

which important structures pass between the anterior and middle scalene muscles ?

Answer 9

subclavian vein
phrenic nerve

Question 10

which important structures pass anterior to the anterior scalene ?

Answer 10

Subclavian artery
Brachial plexus

Question 11

what is the function of the transverse cervical nerve ?

Answer 11

supplies sensation to the skin of the anterolateral neck.

Question 12

at what level does the common carotid bifurcate

Answer 12

C4

Question 13

name the deep branch of the external carotid

Answer 13

Ascending pharyngeal

Question 14

what is the embryological origin of the thyroid gland ?

Answer 14

Foramen caecum

Question 15

what is the clinical significance of the foramen caecum ?

Answer 15

The foramen caecum marks the origin of the embryonic thyroid gland.

During development, the thyroid gland initially forms at this site and then migrates inferiorly to its final location in the anterior neck

Question 16

what is the vertebral level of the thyroid glad

Answer 16

C4

Question 17

Is the brachial plexus located in the anterior or posterior triangle ?

Answer 17

Posterior triangle

Question 18

Describe the laryngeal branches of the vagus nerve

Answer 18

2 main branches: superior and recurrent LN

Superior has 2 further subdivisions: internal and external LN

Recurrent LN gives rise to inferior laryngeal nerve

Question 19

which type of thyroid cancer spreads via they lymphatic route

Answer 19

Papillary thyroid cancer

Question 20

what are the red flag signs for a thyroid lump ?

Answer 20

• Rapid growing
• Pressure symptoms such as dysphagia
• Tethering to local structures
• cervical lymphadenopathy
• Hoarse voice, Stridor

Question 21

In suspected thyroid cancer, other than ago assess the thyroid - why do you perform US of the neck ?

Answer 21

To assess for cervical lymphadenopathy

Question 22

All laryngeal muscles are supplied by ________ except ________ which is supplied by ________

Answer 22

recurrent laryngeal nerve
cricothyroid
superior laryngeal nerve

Question 23

List the 5 bones that make up the temporal bone

Answer 23

• Squamos
• Zygomatic Process
• Tympanic
• Styloid process
• Petromastoid

Question 24

what bone makes the largest part of the temporal bone

Answer 24

Squamos

Question 25

where do subdural haematoma's form ?

Answer 25

In the subdural space

Question 26

what blood vessels are classically damaged in a subdural haematoma

Answer 26

Bridging veins

Question 27

what structure passes through the stylomastoid foramen ?

Answer 27

Facial nerve [VII]

Question 28

What structures pass through foramen ovale ?

Answer 28

O - Otic ganglion V - V3 A - Accessory meningeal artery L - Lesser petrosal nerve E - emissary veins

Question 29

what is the tegmen tympani ?

Answer 29

- The tegmen tympani is a thin sheet of bone that can be identified as a shallow bony region on the anterior surface of the petrous part of the temporal bone. This structure serves as the roof overlying the tympanic cavity and the mastoid antrum, keeping these parts of the ear separate from the middle cranial fossa of the skull above

Question 30

what is the clivus ?

Answer 30

The clivus is a shallow depression behind the dorsum sellae of the sphenoid bone, extending inferiorly to the foramen magnum. It slopes gradually to the anterior part of the basilar occipital bone at its junction with the sphenoid bone.

Question 31

describe the blood flow from the superior sagittal sinus to the IJV

Answer 31

Question 32

what veins drain into the cavernous sinus ?

Answer 32

Ophthalmic veins and Facial veins

Question 33

where does the facial nerve exit the skull ?

Answer 33

Stylomastoid foramen

Question 34

what CNs transmit parasympathetic fibres ?

Answer 34

oculomotor (iii) Facial (VII) Glossopharyngeal (IX) Vagus (X)

Question 35

what is stensens duct and where is it located ?

Answer 35

- Parotid duct - adjacent to the second upper molar

Question 36

what is the auriculotemporal nerve ?

Answer 36

A sensory and parasympathetic branch of V3 It innervates the ear, temple, temporomandibular joint, and parotid gland.

Question 37

all the muscles of the tongue are innervated by ________ except ________ that is innervated by the ________

Answer 37

1. Hypoglossal 2. Palatglossus 3. Vagus

Question 38

general sensation to the anterior 2/3 of the tongue is via what nerve ?

Answer 38

Lingual [branch of V3]

Question 39

what structures form the border of the posterior fossa ?

Answer 39

Anterior - Clivus and petrous temporal bone Posterior - Occipital bone Lateral - Squamos and mastoid parts of the temporal bone

Question 40

How does the facial nerve reach the facial canal ?

Answer 40

Arises in the PONS and then passes through the internal acoustic meatus as two roots (sensory and motor). From here, still within the temporal bone, it passes through the facial canal.

Question 41

how does the facial canal leave the cranium ?

Answer 41

Via the stylomastoid foramen

Question 42

where is the cavernous sinus located ?

Answer 42

located within the middle cranial fossa, one on each side of the sella turcica