THE NECK II: VISCERA

& FASCIAL PLANES

Fig 1. Diagram of the triangles of the neck.

What are the boundaries and contents of the submental triangle?

Boundaries: Anterior bellies of digastric and hyoid bone

Floor: Mylohoid

Contents: Submental art; ant. jugular vein and submental lymph nodes

Fig. 2. Drawing of the submental triangle.

What are the boundaries and contents of the submandibular/digastric triangle?

Boundaries: Ant., post. digastric and the lateral margin of the mandible

Floor: Mylohoid and hyoglossus

Contents: Submandibular gland; parotid gland; ext. carotid artery and its branches: facial and lingual; facial vein; submandibular lymph nodes and vessels; cervical branch of CN VII; CN XII

 

 

 

 

 

Fig. 3. Drawing of the digastric triangle.

What are the boundaries and contents of the carotid triangle?

Boundaries: Sternoclenomastoid; post. digastric and sup. omohyoid

Floor: Thyrohyoid, hyoglossus and pharyngeal constrictors

Contents: Internal jugular v. (and branches); common carotid artery forming ext. and internal carotid arteries; sup. thyroid, lingual and facial aa; CN X; ansa cervicalis; deep cervical lymph nodes

What are the contents of the carotid sheath?

Internal jugular v.

Common carotid a.

CN X

Ansa cevicalis

Deep cervical lymph nodes

Fig. 4 Drawing of the carotid sheath in cross-section.

What are the boundaries and contents of the muscular triangle?

Boundaries: Sup. omohyoid; sternocleidomastoid and ant. margin of neck

Floor: Sternohyoid and sternothyroid muscles

Contents: Larynx, trachea; thyroid gland; esophagus; paratracheal lymph nodes;

Branches: Sup. and inf. thyroid aa (and their accompanying vv.); ant. jugular vein.

Fig. 5. Drawing of the muscular triangle.

Which important structures are found in the root of the neck?

1. Muscles:

Ant/Post scalene mm.

Origins of SCM and infrahyoid mm.

2. Neurovascular structures

Roots of brachial plexus (C5-C8)

Recurrent laryngeal nn.

Sympathetic trunk

Subclavian aa/vv

Deep cervical/supraclavicular lymph nodes

Jugular lymphatic trunks

Thoracic duct (left); right lymphatic duct

3. Visceral structures

Trachea

Esophagus

(Thymus)

What are the fascial planes and compartments of the neck?

1. Skin and superficial cervical fascia

Platysma

Sensory nerves

External jugular and Ant. Jugular vein

Superficial cervical lymph nodes

2. Investing (Deep) cervical fascia

Trapezius

SCM

Muscular triangle mm.

3. Carotid sheath (neurovascular compartment)

(see above)

4. Pretracheal and prevertebral fasciae (visceral compartment)

Pharynx

Trachea

Esophagus

Endocrine glands