Head and Neck Anatomy Quiz: Compartments and Cavities

Study Notes

Head and Neck Overview

The head and neck are anatomically complex areas of the body
The face is the anterior aspect of the head and contains a unique group of muscles
The scalp covers the superior, posterior, and lateral regions of the head

Neck

The neck extends from the head above to the shoulders and thorax below
Its superior boundary is along the inferior margins of the mandible and bone features on the posterior aspect of the skull
The inferior boundary of the neck extends from the top of the sternum, along the clavicle, and onto the adjacent acromion
The posterior neck is higher than the anterior neck to connect cervical viscera with the posterior openings of the nasal and oral cavities

Neck Compartments

The neck has four major compartments, which are enclosed by an outer musculofascial collar
The vertebral compartment contains the cervical vertebrae and associated postural muscles
The visceral compartment contains important glands (thyroid, parathyroid, and thymus), and parts of the respiratory and digestive tracts
The two vascular compartments, one on each side, contain the major blood vessels and the vagus nerve

Larynx and Pharynx

The neck contains two specialized structures associated with the digestive and respiratory tracts—the larynx and pharynx
The larynx is the upper part of the lower airway and is attached below to the top of the trachea and above to the hyoid bone
The larynx has a hollow central channel, and the dimensions of this central channel can be adjusted by soft tissue structures associated with the laryngeal wall
The pharynx is a chamber in the shape of a half-cylinder with walls formed by muscles and fascia

Head Compartments

The head is composed of a series of compartments, which are formed by bone and soft tissues
The cranial cavity, two ears, two orbits, two nasal cavities, and an oral cavity are the main compartments of the head
The nasal cavities are the upper parts of the respiratory tract and are between the orbits
The oral cavity is inferior to the nasal cavities, and separated from them by the hard and soft palates

Description

Explore the complex anatomy of the head and neck, including the different compartments and cavities. Learn about the cranial cavity, ears, orbits, nasal cavities, and oral cavity. Understand the structure and composition of these areas.