Head and Neck Anatomy: Scalp Overview

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Questions and Answers

What forms the external jugular vein?

Anterior jugular vein uniting with the external carotid vein

Facial veins merging with the subclavian vein

Posterior auricular vein and the posterior branch of retromandibular vein (correct)

Superficial veins of the face

Which vein runs with the occipital artery in the scalp?

Occipital vein (correct)

Retromandibular vein

External jugular vein

Maxillary vein

What is the primary function of emissary veins?

Nourishing the scalp tissues

Connecting the venous sinuses to veins outside the skull (correct)

Draining blood from the facial muscles

Transporting lymphatic fluid from the scalp

Which structure provides motor innervation to the face?

Facial nerve Signup and view all the answers

What is the clinical significance of the danger area of the scalp?

Infections can spread to the meninges through emissary veins. Signup and view all the answers

Which layer of the scalp allows it to slide freely on the periosteum?

Loose areolar tissue Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of the occipitofrontalis muscle?

Rises the eyebrow and wrinkles the forehead Signup and view all the answers

Which nerve supplies the upper eyelid?

Supraorbital nerve Signup and view all the answers

From which part of the trigeminal nerve does the auriculotemporal nerve arise?

Mandibular division Signup and view all the answers

Which muscle is primarily responsible for moving the frontal belly of the occipitofrontalis?

Frontalis muscle Signup and view all the answers

Which nerve arises from the dorsal rami of C2 and is responsible for supplying the scalp?

Greater occipital nerve Signup and view all the answers

Which statements about the epicranial aponeurosis are accurate?

It serves as a flat membrane connecting the frontal and occipital bellies. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary artery that supplies the scalp through its terminal branches?

Superficial temporal artery Signup and view all the answers

Which nerve supplies the skin of the anterior part of the temple?

Zygomaticotemporal nerve Signup and view all the answers

Which artery is known to follow the greater occipital nerve into the scalp?

Occipital artery Signup and view all the answers

What characteristic distinguishes the occipital bellies of the occipitofrontalis from the frontal bellies?

Occipital bellies are shorter and narrower. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following nerves supplies the nape of the neck?

Third occipital nerve Signup and view all the answers

The great auricular nerve is primarily associated with which areas?

Postero-inferior part of the jaw and lower part of the auricle Signup and view all the answers

What structure forms from the union of the supratrochlear and supraorbital veins?

Facial vein Signup and view all the answers

Which artery primarily supplies the skin above and behind the auricle?

Posterior auricular artery Signup and view all the answers

Which branch of the external carotid artery is known for its multiple branches supplying the scalp?

Superficial temporal artery Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Scalp Anatomy

Layers of the Scalp:
- S: Skin - Thick layer with sweat glands, sebaceous glands, and hair follicles.
- C: Connective Tissue - Dense collagen fibers with blood vessels and nerves; prevents vessel contraction during injury.
- A: Epicranial Aponeurosis - Flat membrane connecting frontal and occipital bellies of the occipitofrontalis muscle.
- L: Loose Areolar Tissue - Avascular layer allowing the scalp to slide on the periosteum.
- P: Periosteum - Covers the outer surface of the skull, continuous through sutures with endosteal layer inside the cranium.

Muscles of the Scalp

Occipitofrontalis Muscle:
- Consists of two pairs of bellies: occipital (shorter, narrower) and frontal (arises from the aponeurosis).
- Frontal bellies insert into the skin of eyebrows and nose; have no bony attachment.
- Nerve Supply: Supplied by the facial nerve; action includes raising eyebrows and wrinkling forehead.
Auricular Muscles:
- Include superior, anterior, and posterior muscles, all supplied by the facial nerve.

Nerve Supply of the Scalp

Anterior to Pinna of the Ear (via Trigeminal Nerve):
- Supraorbital Nerve: Arises from frontal nerve; supplies upper eyelid.
- Supratrochlear Nerve: Supplies paramedian forehead and medial upper eyelid.
- Zygomaticotemporal Nerve: Supplies anterior part of the temple.
- Auriculotemporal Nerve: Supplies upper part of auricle, external acoustic meatus, and skin of the side of the head.
Posterior to Pinna of the Ear (Upper Cervical Nerves):
- Greater Occipital Nerve: Dorsal rami of C2; enters scalp with occipital artery.
- Third Occipital Nerve: Supplies nape of the neck.
- Lesser Occipital Nerve: Arises from C2 and sometimes C3; supplies scalp above and behind the ear.
- Great Auricular Nerve: Arises from C2 and C3; supplies skin of the postero-inferior jaw and auricle.

Blood Supply of the Scalp

Arterial Supply:
- External Carotid Artery:
  - Superficial Temporal Artery: Terminal branch, runs with auriculotemporal nerve, supplies frontal and parietal regions.
  - Posterior Auricular Artery: Arises deep to parotid gland, curves to supply region behind auricle.
  - Occipital Artery: Large branch of external carotid, accompanies the greater occipital nerve.
- Internal Carotid Artery:
  - Supraorbital Artery: Emerges from supraorbital notch, supplies upper eyelid.
  - Supratrochlear Artery: Terminal branch of ophthalmic artery, provides blood to upper medial orbit.
Venous Drainage:
- Supratrochlear and Supraorbital Veins: Unite to form the facial vein.
- Retromandibular Vein: Formed by superficial temporal vein and maxillary vein.
- Posterior Auricular Vein: Joins with retromandibular vein to form external jugular vein.
- Occipital Vein: Drains to suboccipital plexus of veins.
- Emissary Veins: Connect external veins with venous sinuses inside the skull.

Lymphatic Drainage of the Scalp

Anterior scalp drains into small parotid lymph node.
Posterior scalp drains into occipital and retro-auricular lymph nodes.

Facial Anatomy

Composed of 14 bones, includes openings for the orbit, nose, and mouth.
Contains many muscles responsible for facial expressions such as Buccinator, Orbicularis Oris, and Orbicularis Oculi.
Motor Innervation: By the facial nerve.
Sensory Innervation: By the trigeminal nerve.

Clinical Notes

Danger Area of the Scalp: Loose connective tissue region where infections can spread easily via emissary veins into the cranial cavity, risking meningitis.

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Description

This quiz covers the anatomy of the scalp, including its structure and functions. Learn about the layers such as skin, connective tissue, and the epicranial aponeurosis. Perfect for students of head and neck anatomy.