Lecture 7 & 8: Posterior Triangle Flashcards
What is the post. triangle of the neck used for clinically?
JVP
Central vein catheterisation
Cervical Lymphadenopathy
What are the cervical fascias?
Superficial fascia
Deep Fascias:
Investing Fascia
Pretracheal fascia
Prevertebral fascia
What is found in the the superficial fascia?
Typically thought of fat that contains: Muscle, fat and superficial veins
Describe the role of each of the deep fascias:
Investing -> Invests entire cervical constituents
Pre-tracheal -> Invests viscera of neck i.e trachea, thyroid, oesophagus
Prevertebral -> Invests vertebral muscles i.e scalenes.
What are the potential spaces of the neck?
Pretracheal space
Retropharyngeal space
Fascial space within the prevertebral layer (most difficult b/c allows movement between head and diaphragm)
What are the borders of the post. triangle?
Ant. border: Sternocleidomastoid (post. aspect)
Base: Clavicle (middle 1/3)
Post. border: Trapezius (ant aspect)
What forms the roof of the post. triangle?
Skin, superficial fascia, veins, cutaneous nerve.
What forms the floor of the post. triangle?
Prevertebral and investing fascia
i.e
Sup: Splanus capitus
Middle: Levator scapuli
Inf: Scalene (Ant.mid.post)
Describe the major veins of the post. triangle:
External jugular vein: Penetrates and joins internal jugular in the post. triangle
Post external jugular vein runs entirely in it…
Describe the nerves of the post. triangle:
Great auricular nerve immediately penetrates fascia and folds back.
Transverse cervical nerve exits over sternocleidomastoid
Supraclavicular nerves exit the post. triangle and innervate their targets
Accessory nerve passes through the post. triangle, doesnt penetrate the fascia.
Brachial plexus is also found within the post. triangle!!!!
Write some notes on the accessory nerve in relation to the post. triangle:
Surface landmarks cannot identify the CN12 thus US must be used.
It exits the jugular foremen with CN9,10 and jugular vein. It then innervates the sternocleidomastoid and trapezius
What are the arteries of the post. triangle?
Transverse cervical art.
Suprascapular art.
3rd part of subclavian art
Where do all the lymph nodes of the head drain to?
All lymphatics drain into superficial lymph nodes which then feed into deep lymph nodes.
