Posterior Cervical Triangle

Question 1

Investing Fascia

Answer 1

Surrounds Trapezius and SCM

Question 2

Pretracheal fascia

Answer 2

surrounds infrahyoid muscle, thyroid, trachea, and esophagus

- The Buccopharyngeal fascia is the posterior superior part of this visceral pretracheal fasica,

Question 3

Alar Fascia

Answer 3

runs behind buccopharyngeal fascia

Question 4

Carotid Sheath

Answer 4

surrounds carotid arteries, vagus, internal jugular vein

Question 5

Fascial Spaces

Answer 5

Carotid Sheath
Pretracheal Space
Retropharyngeal Space
Prevertebral Space*

Question 6

Carotid Sheath

Answer 6

Between SCM and Prevertebrals

From Skull to middle Mediastinum

Question 7

Pretracheal Space

Answer 7

between trachea and infrahyoid

thyroid cartilage to anterior mediastinum

Question 8

Retropharyngeal Space

Answer 8

between buccopharyngal and alar fascia

skull base to superior mediastinum

Question 9

Prevertebral Space

Answer 9

between alar and prevertebral fascia
skull to posterior mediastinum
DANGER SPACE

Question 10

Zones of Neck

Answer 10

Zone 1: Thoracic inlet to cricoid cartilage
Zone 2: Cricoid Cartilage to angle of mandible
Zone 3: Angle of mandible to base of skull

Question 11

Posterior Cervical Triangle Borders

Answer 11

Posterior: Anterior border of Trapezius
Anterior: Sternocleidomastoid
Inferior: Middle 1/3 of Clavicle

Question 12

Contents of Posterior Cervical Triangle

Answer 12

Platysmia
External Jugular Vein
Cutaneous Nerves
Motor Nerves
Transverse Cervical Artery
Suprascapular Artery
Deep Muscles

Question 13

Cutaneous Nerves of Posterior Triangle

Answer 13

Lesser Occipital (C2-C3) - supplies scalp posterior to ear (runs along posterior border of SCM)

Greater Auricular Nerve (C2-C3) - on surface of SCM, runs with EJV. Supplies lobe of ear and posterior portion and angle of mandible to mastoid process

Transverse Cervical Nerve (C2-C3) - transversely accross SCM, supplies skin of anterior cervical triangle

Suprascapular Nerve (C3-C4) 3 branches medial, intermediate, & lateral.
superficial to clavicle, supplies skin of clavicular region

Question 14

Motor Nerves of Posterior Triangle

Answer 14

Accessory (CN XI) -jugular foramen to deep investing fascia (supplies SCM and Trapezius)

Phrenic Nerve (C3-C5) descends along anterior scalene to paricardial sac and supplies diaphragm

Phrenic Nerve has referred pain to suprascapular region

Question 15

Vessels of Posterior Triangle

Answer 15

EJV: posterior and anterior division of retromandibular vein –> EJV –> drains to subclavian

Transverse Cervical a: from thyrocervical trunk

Suprascapular Artery: from thyrocervical trunk.

Question 16

Deep Muscles of Posterior Cervical Triangle

Answer 16

Splenius Capitis
Levator Scapulae
3 Scalene Muscles
Inferior belly of omohyoid

Question 17

Splenius Capitis

Answer 17

deep to trapezius,
connects lower cervical and upper thoracic vertebrae to occipital bone and mastoid process
extend and laterally rotate head
Innervated by dorsal rami of spinal nerves

Question 18

Levator Scapulae

Answer 18

Transverse process of cervical vertebrae –>superiomedial border of Scapulae
Elevates Scapulae
Innervated by Dorsal Ramus of C5

Question 19

3 Scalene Muscles

Answer 19

Transverse process of Cervical Vertebrae –> 1st Rib (Anterior and middle) and 2nd Rib (Posterior)

Tilt neck laterally

Innervated by ventral Rami of C3-C8

subclavian artery passes through anterior and middle

Question 20

Interscalene triangle

Answer 20

Deep to posterior triangle

Anterior scalene, Middle scalene and first rib.

subclavian artery and brachial plexus runs through it

subclavian vein passes anterior to anterior scalene

can be tight, causing dysfunction or lack of blood flow to UL or thoracic outlet syndrome