Master the Anatomy and Surgical Procedures of the Neck

Study Notes

The neck is a transitional area between the base of the cranium and clavicle and is a major conduit for various structures.
It contains important structures such as the trachea, esophagus, great vessels, nerves, and lymphatics.
The neck is bordered superiorly by the inferior border of the mandible, mastoid tip, and external occipital protuberance, and inferiorly by the clavicle.
The neck has several important muscles, including the sternocleidomastoid and trapezius.
The neck has different fascia layers that compartmentalize structures, limit the spread of infection, and allow for movement during swallowing and head turning.
The superficial cervical fascia contains the platysma muscle, which is responsible for grimace expression.
The deep cervical fascia has several divisions, including the investing layer, pretracheal layer, and prevertebral layer.
The muscular division of the pretracheal layer involves the infrahyoid muscles, while the visceral division encloses the thyroid gland, trachea, and esophagus.
The prevertebral layer is the deepest layer of the deep cervical fascia and contains important muscles such as the longus colli and scalenes.
The carotid sheath surrounds the carotid arteries, internal jugular vein, vagus nerve, and sympathetic fibers and is an important space to avoid infection.

Infections in the deep space of the neck are dangerous and can spread to other areas.
The arterial vasculature of the neck includes the subclavian artery and common carotid artery.
The external carotid artery is the main blood supply of the head and neck and has several branches.
The internal jugular vein is the main venous drainage of the neck and has several tributaries.
The neck has several nerves, including the glossopharyngeal, spinal accessory, hypoglossal, and vagus nerves.
The cervical plexus is a nerve network formed between the union of the rami of the first 4 cervical nerves.
The neck has a rich lymphatic supply and can be subdivided into 6 subgroups important in oncologic surgeries.
The thoracic duct is the largest lymphatic channel of the body and conveys most lymph of the body to the venous system.
Neck dissection is a surgical procedure used in cases of thyroid malignancy with neck node metastasis.
The submental and submandibular nodes are important groups of nodes in cancer surgery.
The thyroid gland is located anterolateral to the larynx and trachea.
It has two lobes united by the isthmus and may have a pyramidal lobe.
The thyroid follicles synthesize thyroid hormones, while parafollicular cells synthesize and release calcitonin.
The superior thyroid artery runs with the superior laryngeal nerve and should be ligated near the thyroid during thyroidectomy.
The inferior thyroid artery is intimately related to the recurrent laryngeal nerve and should be ligated more distally from the thyroid gland during surgery.
The thyroid gland is related to the trachea, esophagus, parathyroid gland, and internal jugular vein and common carotid artery.
Warning signs of anterior neck mass caused by thyroid malignancy include dyspnea, stridor, hoarseness, and dysphagia.
Thyroidectomy involves preserving the superior and recurrent laryngeal nerves.
The trachea is a fibrocartilaginous tube supported by incomplete hyaline cartilaginous tracheal ring.
Cricothyrotomy is a life-saving procedure done between the thyroid cartilage and cricoid cartilage during respiratory distress.
There are two procedures for airway support: cricothyroidotomy and tracheostomy.
The incision for cricothyroidotomy should be made above the thyroid gland.
The vocal cords should be located in the midline of the cartilage for cricothyroidotomy.
The incision for tracheostomy should be made at the 2nd to 4th tracheal rings.
The cervical, thoracic, and abdominal esophagus are the three anatomical segments of the esophagus.
The esophagus has three physiologic constrictions: cervical, thoracic, and diaphragmatic.
Foreign bodies can easily get stuck within the physiologic constriction sites.
There are five triangles of the neck: anterior, submandibular, submental, carotid, and muscular.
Penetrating neck injuries can result in hard signs, such as pulsatile bleeding and neurological deficits.
Zones I and III have the highest morbidity or mortality for penetrating neck injuries.

Description

Test your knowledge of the anatomy and surgical procedures of the neck with this informative quiz. Learn about the important structures, muscles, fascia layers, vasculature, nerves, lymphatics, and lymph node subgroups of the neck. Explore the anatomy and functions of the thyroid gland, trachea, and esophagus, and the warning signs of anterior neck masses caused by thyroid malignancy. Discover the two procedures for airway support, cricothyroidotomy and tracheostomy,