Neck Anatomy Overview

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Questions and Answers

Which of the following best describes the superior border of the neck's anatomical boundaries?

The inferior margin of the mandible anteriorly and the base of the skull posteriorly. (correct)

The inferior margin of the mandible anteriorly and the spinous process of CVII posteriorly.

The top of the sternum, clavicle, and the adjacent acromion anteriorly and the base of the skull posteriorly.

The approximate line from the acromion to the spinous process of CVII both anteriorly and posteriorly.

Which of the following is NOT a primary function of the neck?

Connecting the oral cavity to the esophagus.

Connecting the oral cavity to the trachea. (correct)

Serving as a passage for major vessels and nerves.

Positioning and supporting the head.

What is the unique feature of the cervical vertebrae that allows for the passage of vertebral arteries and veins?

The bifid spinous process.

The unique articulation with the occipital bone.

The small vertebral body.

The transverse foramen. (correct)

Which layer of the deep cervical fascia directly surrounds the vertebral column and the deep muscles of the back?

The prevertebral layer. Signup and view all the answers

Which anatomical structure serves as the interface between the floor of the oral cavity, larynx, and pharynx?

The hyoid bone. Signup and view all the answers

What is the buccopharyngeal fascia a part of, and what does it enclose?

Part of the pretracheal layer; it encloses the pharynx and esophagus. Signup and view all the answers

Which space is located between the investing and pretracheal layers of the deep cervical fascia and passes from the neck into the mediastinum?

The pretracheal space. Signup and view all the answers

Which fascial space extends from the base of the skull to the diaphragm?

Prevertebral space Signup and view all the answers

The external jugular vein is formed by the confluence of which two veins?

Posterior auricular vein and retromandibular vein Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes the function of the platysma muscle?

Tenses the skin of the neck and pulls the lips down Signup and view all the answers

What are the boundaries of the posterior triangle of the neck?

Posterior border of SCM, anterior border of trapezius, middle third of clavicle Signup and view all the answers

Which nerve innervates the sternocleidomastoid muscle?

Spinal accessory nerve (CN XI) Signup and view all the answers

The trapezius muscle is responsible for which action?

Elevation, retraction, and depression of the scapula Signup and view all the answers

Where does the lesser occipital nerve ascend?

Along the posterior border of the sternocleidomastoid muscle Signup and view all the answers

The anterior jugular veins connect at which point before joining either the external jugular or the subclavian?

Jugular venous arch Signup and view all the answers

What anatomical structure forms the roof of the posterior triangle of the neck?

Investing layer of deep cervical fascia Signup and view all the answers

Which structure does not receive direct arterial supply from the external carotid artery?

The hypoglossal nerve (CN XII) Signup and view all the answers

The ascending pharyngeal artery is the second branch of external carotid artery. What does the ascending pharyngeal artery not supply?

The sublingual gland Signup and view all the answers

Which artery passes deep to the posterior belly of the digastric muscle before emerging on the posterior scalp?

The occipital artery Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements accurately describes the path of the lingual artery?

It runs deep to the hypoglossal nerve (CN XII) and between the middle constrictor and hyoglossus muscles. Signup and view all the answers

The mylohyoid muscle attaches to the mandible at the mylohyoid line. Which of these represents an action of the mylohyoid muscle, when the hyoid bone is fixed?

Pulls the mandible inferiorly and inward Signup and view all the answers

Which muscle directly depresses the hyoid bone after swallowing?

Omohyoid Signup and view all the answers

Which nerve innervates the thyrohyoid muscle?

A branch of the hypoglossal nerve (CN XII) Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary action of the sternothyroid muscle?

Draws the larynx (thyroid cartilage) downward Signup and view all the answers

Which muscle has an insertion on the lateral body of the hyoid bone, straddling the intermediate tendon of digastric?

Stylohyoid Signup and view all the answers

Which of these muscles is primarily responsible for forming the floor of the mouth?

Mylohyoid Signup and view all the answers

Which muscle elevates the hyoid if the mandible is fixed?

Geniohyoid and digastric Signup and view all the answers

Which of these muscles is innervated by the facial nerve (CN VII)?

Stylohyoid and posterior belly of digastric Signup and view all the answers

What is the insertion point of the sternothyroid muscle?

Oblique line of the thyroid cartilage Signup and view all the answers

Which muscle is innervated by the inferior alveolar nerve(a branch of V3)?

Anterior belly of digastric Signup and view all the answers

What is the origin point of the geniohyoid muscle?

Inferior mental spine on the inner mandible Signup and view all the answers

Which nerve, originating from the cervical plexus, provides sensory innervation to the skin of the mastoid area?

Greater auricular nerve Signup and view all the answers

The inferior belly of the omohyoid muscle originates from which anatomical structure?

The superior border of the scapula Signup and view all the answers

Which anatomical structure is located in the roof of the submandibular triangle?

Investing layer of deep cervical fascia Signup and view all the answers

The facial artery has a specific relationship with the submandibular gland. What is that relationship?

The facial artery passes through or deep to the submandibular gland. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes the path of the accessory nerve (CN XI) after exiting the cranium?

It exits through the jugular foramen, proceeds deep to or through the SCM and then to the deep surface of the trapezius. Signup and view all the answers

What is the inferior border of the submental triangle made up of?

The hyoid bone Signup and view all the answers

Which nerves are grouped as cutaneous nerves that descend to supply the skin over the clavicle and shoulder?

Supraclavicular nerves Signup and view all the answers

Which muscle divides the anterior triangle into muscular and vascular triangles?

Superior belly of the omohyoid muscle Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary action of the omohyoid muscle?

Depression of the hyoid bone Signup and view all the answers

Besides innervating the sternocleidomastoid muscle, the accessory nerve (CN XI) also innervates which other muscle?

Trapezius Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Neck Anatomy

Superior Border: Inferior margin of mandible (anterior), base of skull (posterior).
Inferior Border: Top of sternum, clavicle, adjacent acromion (anterior); approximate line from acromion to spinous process of CVII (posterior).
Functions: Positions & supports head, passages for major vessels & nerves, connects oral cavity to esophagus (pharynx), and nasal cavity to trachea (larynx).
Cervical Vertebrae: Atlas (C1), axis (C2), & others (C3-C7). Features include small bodies (except C1), bifid spinous processes (except C1); transverse processes with foramina (for passage of vertebral aa. & vv.); unique articulation with C2 & occipital bone of skull (C1).
Hyoid Bone: Interface between the floor of the oral cavity (superior), larynx (inferior), pharynx (posterior). Serves as an anchor.
Vertebral Compartment: Encloses cervical vertebrae, spinal cord, cranial nerves, and associated postural muscles.
Visceral Compartment: Wraps around glands (thyroid and parathyroid) and parts of the respiratory and digestive tracts passing between head and thorax (larynx & pharynx).
Vascular Compartments: One on each side, containing major blood vessels and vagus nerve (CN X).
Superficial Fascia: Loose connective tissue (LCT) containing platysma muscle.

Deep Cervical Fascia

Investing Layer: Surrounds all neck structures, splitting to enclose sternocleidomastoid (SCM), trapezius, infrahyoid, and suprahyoid muscles.
Prevertebral Layer: Surrounds vertebral column and deep back muscles; splits between transverse processes. Includes alar fascia.
Pretracheal Layer: Encloses neck viscera; includes buccopharyngeal fascia (enclosing pharynx & esophagus).
Carotid Sheaths: Surround major NVBs (nerves, vessels, and blood) on either side of the neck (very thick fascia).
Retropharyngeal Space: Between buccopharyngeal & prevertebral layers; extends from skull base to upper posterior mediastinum.
Prevertebral Space: Longitudinal space filled with LCT between prevertebral fascia layers, extending to diaphragm from base of skull.
Fascial Spaces (CC): Provide conduits for spread of infections to the mediastinum.

Structures in Superficial Fascia

Platysma Muscle: Large, thin sheet in superficial fascia, tenses skin of neck and pulls lips downwards; innervated by CN VII.

Posterior Triangle

Boundaries: Posterior border of SCM, anterior border of trapezius, middle of clavicle, investing layer of deep cervical fascia, muscles of prevertebral fascia.

Anterior Triangle

Submandibular Triangle: Bounded by inferior border of mandible, digastric muscle, neck midline. Contains submandibular gland. Facial artery courses through or deep to gland.
Submental Triangle: Bounded by hyoid bone, anterior belly of digastric muscle, neck midline.
Muscular Triangle: Bounded by hyoid bone, superior belly of omohyoid, and anterior border of SCM.

Muscles of Neck Triangles

Muscles of Anterior Triangle: Include omohyoid, sternohyoid, thyrohyoid, sternothyroid muscles. These muscles have specific origins, insertions, and actions related to hyoid bone movement and swallowing movements.

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Description

This quiz explores the anatomy of the neck, including its superior and inferior borders, major functions, and the structures involved such as the cervical vertebrae and hyoid bone. Test your knowledge on the relationships between these components and their significance in human anatomy.