Head and Neck Anatomy & Clinical Correlates Review

Flashcards cover key anatomic structures, clinical correlations, nerve supply, and emergency procedures discussed in the lecture on ear, thyroid/parathyroid, larynx, neck sheaths, airway access, and cranial nerves.

What is the basic function of the tympanic (eardrum) membrane?

It acts as a vibrating diaphragm between the outer and middle ear to transmit sound to the ossicles (malleus, incus, stapes).

How can a perforation of the tympanic membrane affect hearing?

It disrupts sound conduction, leading to conductive (middle-ear) deafness.

Name two common causes of tympanic membrane perforation mentioned in the lecture.

Otitis media and sudden pressure changes (e.g., deep-sea diving or high-altitude flight).

Which cranial nerve branch lies on the inner surface of the tympanic membrane and can be damaged by perforation?

The chorda tympani branch of the facial nerve (CN VII).

Loss of chorda tympani function produces what tongue and salivary symptoms?

Loss of taste from the anterior 2⁄3 of the tongue and decreased submandibular/sublingual salivation.

What are the two types of sound conduction tested with a tuning fork?

Air conduction (fork beside ear) and bone conduction (fork on skull, e.g., forehead or mastoid).

Minor tympanic membrane perforations usually _.

Heal spontaneously without surgery.

Large tympanic membrane perforations are typically repaired by which specialist?

An Ear, Nose, and Throat (ENT) surgeon.

Which hormone-producing gland is described as the largest endocrine gland?

The thyroid gland.

List two major systemic effects of thyroid hormones.

1) Regulate basal metabolic rate (anabolism & catabolism). 2) Influence body temperature (heat production).

What hormone from the thyroid lowers blood calcium levels?

Calcitonin.

Which glands regulate both calcium and phosphorus metabolism?

The parathyroid glands.

Target organs of parathyroid hormone (PTH) include _.

Bone (skeleton), kidneys, and intestines.

Where is the thyroid gland located relative to surface landmarks?

Inferior to the thyroid (Adam’s apple) and cricoid cartilages in the anterior neck.

Enlargement of the thyroid producing a visible “butterfly” in the neck is called _.

Goiter (often seen in hyperthyroidism).

Give two classic clinical features of hyperthyroidism highlighted in the lecture.

Weight loss despite good appetite and excessive heat/sweating (others: tachycardia, tremor, etc.).

Which artery commonly supplies the inferior aspect of the thyroid?

The inferior thyroid artery (branch of the thyrocervical trunk).

A painless midline swelling that moves with swallowing at the hyoid level suggests what embryologic remnant?

A thyroglossal (median cervical) cyst.

What are the "false" and "true" vocal cords formally called?

False – vestibular folds; True – vocal folds.

Which muscle is the ONLY abductor of the vocal cords?

Posterior cricoarytenoid muscle.

The internal branch of the superior laryngeal nerve provides .

Sensory innervation above the vocal cords (including piriform recess).

Which nerve supplies all intrinsic laryngeal muscles except cricothyroid?

Recurrent laryngeal nerve (branch of CN X).

An emergency airway made through the cricothyroid membrane is called a _.

Cricothyrotomy (cricothyrectomy).

For prolonged airway access, a cricothyrotomy is usually followed by what procedure?

A formal tracheotomy (tracheostomy).

Name the three main contents of the carotid sheath.

Common/internal carotid artery, internal jugular vein, and vagus nerve (CN X).

Above the carotid bifurcation the sheath contains which artery?

The internal carotid artery only.

What structures are enclosed within the axillary sheath?

Axillary artery & vein plus the brachial plexus as they pass into the axilla.

List the boundaries’ region that forms the posterior triangle of the neck.

Posterior border of sternocleidomastoid, anterior border of trapezius, and superior surface of the clavicle.

Give two key contents of the posterior triangle of the neck.

External jugular vein & subclavian vein; accessory nerve (CN XI). (Others: scalene muscles, occipital artery, superficial cervical lymph nodes).

Which cranial nerves control most extra-ocular eye movements discussed at the end?

Oculomotor (III), Trochlear (IV), and Abducens (VI).