HEAD AND NECK

Skull

Framework of the head

the cranium and the face

What are the two subsections of the skull

14

how many facial bones do we have?

Mandible

has free movement

Hyoid bone

lingual bone/tongue bone, horse-shoe shaped lies above the thyroid cartilage (Adam’s apple) attached to the tongue.

Larynx

“voice box” that houses the vocal folds. Involved in breathing, producing sounds and protecting trachea against food aspiration

Trachea

“windpipe” serves as the passage for air. Begins from the larynx down behind the breastbone(sternum). Divided into 2 smaller tubes called bronchi. Composed of C-shaped hyaline cartilage rings

Cricoid Cartilage

upper tracheal ring with small notch in it which fully encircles the trachea.

Thyroid Cartilage

“Adam’s apple” - larger and located just above the cricoid cartilage that forms the front part of the larynx (voice box). It 

Thyroid gland

largest endocrine gland. “Butterfly-shaped” organ located in the base of the neck that releases hormones (T3 & T4) that controls metabolism, growth and development of the human body.

Sternocleidomastoid muscle

rotates and flexes the head. Allow movement and provide support to the head and neck.

Trapezius muscle

extends the head and moves the shoulders.

Eleventh cranial nerve (motor never or spinal accessory nerve)

responsible for muscle movements that permits shrugging of the shoulders by the trapezius muscles and turning head against resistance by the sternocleidomastoid muscle.

Cervical Vertebrae

located in the posterior neck and support the cranium

C7 (vertebra prominens)

largest and most inferior vertebrae can be easily palpated when the neck is flexed.

C1 (Atlas)

Top vertebra, shaped like a ring and only vertebra without vertebral body. Connects to the occipital bone to support base of the skull and form the “atlanto-occipital joint”

C2 (Axis)

has large bony protrusion. Atlas is able to rotate around the axis forming the “atlantoaxial joint”

Typical Vertebrae (C3-C6)

they share the same basic characteristics with most of the vertebrae throughout the spine

Lymph Nodes

A small bean-shaped structure that is part of the body's immune system. It filter substances that travel through the lymphatic fluid, and they contain lymphocytes (white blood cells) that help the body fight infection and disease

Lymph Nodes

Produce lymphocytes and antibodies as a defense against invasion by foreign substances.

Preauricular

In Front of the ears

Post auricular

behind the ears

Tonsillar

under the chin and jawline

Occipital

located at the back of the head near occipital bone

Submandibular

along the underside of the jaw on either side

Submental

just below the chin

Posterior cervical

extend in a line posterior to sternocleidomastoid muscle in front of trapezius

Deep cervical

deeper than sternocleidomastoid muscle

Supraclavicular

in the hollow above the clavicle.

Genetic predisposition

a risk factor for head and neck cancers.

Macrocephaly

overly large head