Final - Posterior and Anterior Cervical Triangles, Root of the Neck

Boundaries of the Posterior Cervical Triangle

Posterior: Trapezius

Anterior: SCM

Inferior: Clavicle

Within the posterior cervical triangle, the ______ muscle separates the _____ and _____ triangles.

Omohyoid; Occipital; Subclavian

Nerves in the posterior cervical triangle (3)

• CN XI

• Brachial Plexus roots and trunks

• Cutaneous nerves

  • Lesser occipital

  • Greater auricular

  • Transverse cervical

  • Supraclavicular

Vessels in the posterior cervical triangle (4)

• 3rd part of Subclavian artery

• Transverse cervical artery

• Suprascapular artery

• External jugular vein

Nerve Point / Erb’s Point

Where all cutaneous nerves of the posterior cervical triangle originate from, about midway along the posterior SCM.

Boundaries of the Anterior Cervical Triangle

Posterior: SCM

Anterior: Midline of the body

Superior: Mandible

Regions of the Anterior Cervical Triangle (4) and what separates them

• Carotid

• Submental

• Submandibular

• Muscular

Generally separated by the digastric and omohyoid muscles.

The (larynx/pharynx) and (trachea/esophagus) are associated with breathing.

Larynx; trachea

Vessels in the Anterior Cervical Triangle (5)

• Common Carotid

• External Carotid

• Internal Carotid

• Inferior thyroid

• Internal jugular

Nerves in the Anterior Cervical Triangle (7)

• Transverse cervical nerve (from posterior cervical triangle)

• CN XII (Hypoglossal)

• Nerve to Thyrohyoid (appears to be a branch of CN XII but is NOT)

• CN IX (Glossopharyngeal)

• CN X (Vagus nerve)

• Ansa Cervicalis

• Phrenic Nerve

Phrenic Nerve Spinal Nerves

C3, C4, C5

(3, 4, 5, keep the diaphragm alive)

Glands in the Anterior Cervical Triangle (3)

• Submandibular

• Parotid

• Thyroid

The ___ and ___ are known as the “viscera” of the neck

thyroid; parathyroid

Regions of the Pharynx (3)

1. Nasopharynx

2. Oropharynx

3. Laryngopharynx

Circular muscles in the pharynx (3)

1. Superior

2. Middle

3. Inferior

Longitudinal muscles in the pharynx (3)

1. Salpingopharyngeus

2. Palatopharyngeus

3. Stylopharyngeus