Bones, Cartilage, Muscles, and Nerves of the Neck

A series of flashcards created to help review the anatomy and functions related to the bones, cartilage, muscles, and nerves of the neck.

The cervical vertebrae consist of ___ vertebrae, numbered C1 to C7.

7

The hyoid bone is located in the mid neck at level ___ and acts as a floating anchor for muscles and cartilage.

C3

The trachea is supported by ___ to ___ c-shaped rings of cartilage to keep it open for breathing.

16-20

The thyroid cartilage is also known as the ___, which is the largest unpaired cartilage of the larynx.

Adam's apple

The epiglottis functions to prevent ___ and ___ from entering the larynx.

food and water

The arytenoid cartilages are ___ in number and are responsible for managing vocal cord movement.

paired

The thyrohyoid membrane connects the superior border of the thyroid cartilage to the ___ bone.

hyoid

The vocal cords are composed of vocal ligaments covered by a ___ membrane and muscle.

mucous

The muscle innervated by cranial nerve XI (the accessory nerve) that moves the scapula is the ___ muscle.

trapezius

The splenius capitis muscle originates from the lower ligamentum nuchae and spinous processes of ___ to ___ vertebrae.

C7-T3/T4

The sternocleidomastoid muscle performs unilateral contraction resulting in ___ rotation of the neck.

neck

The upper esophageal sphincter opens to allow ___ in.

food

The thyroid gland produces three key hormones: triidothyronine (T3), thyroxine (T4), and ___.

calcitonin

Cranial nerve X is known as the ___ nerve, responsible for involuntary functions like digestion and heart rate.

vagus

The internal jugular vein drains blood from the neck into the ___ vena cava.

superior

The ___ muscle pulls the hyoid upward and backward during swallowing, innervated by a branch of CN VII.

stylohyoid