Triangles of the Neck: Key Biology Terms & Definitions

Superficial fascia

Retropharngeal space

Investing cervical layer

Pretracheal fascia

Carotid sheath

Alar fascia

Prevertebral fascia

Platysma

Digastric

Mylohyoid

Stylohyoid

Sternocleidomastoid

Trapezius

Sternohyoid

Omohyoid

Thyrohoid

Sternothyroid

Middle scalene

Anterior scalene

Posterior scalene

Occipital triangle

Supraclavicular triangle

Submandibular triangle

Submental triangle

Carotid triangle

Muscular triangle

Hypoglossal n.

Ansa cervicalis

Vagus n.

Great auricular n.

Cervical plexus

Lesser occipital n.

C1

C2

C3

C4

Accessory n.

Phrenic n.

Common carotid a.

Inferior thyroid a.

Vertebral a.

Ascending cervical a.

Transverse cervical a.

Suprascapular a.

Subclavian a.

Occipital a.

Facial a.

Lingual a.

Ascending pharyngeal a.

superficial temporal a.

Maxillary a.

Superior thyroid a.

Communicating branches

transverse cervical n.

External jugular v.

Supraclavicular n.

Internal jugular v.

Anterior jugular v.

Platysma

Sits in superficial fascia tissue and has no bony insertion

Investing cervical, pretracheal, prevertebral

Name the 3 types of deep cervical fascia

Investing cervical layer

The most superficial of the deep layers

Investing cervical layer

envelops the trapezius and sternocleidomastoid

Pretracheal layer

Envelops the infrahyoid muscles, thyroid gland, trachea, esophagus

Prevertebral layer

Envelops the vertebral column and associated muscles

Carotid sheath

Contains common/internal carotid arteries, internal jugular, vagus nerve, carotid sinus nerve, lymph nodes

Alar fascia

Joins the carotid sheaths

Alar fascia

Allows movement of pharynx/esophagus over vertebral column during swallowing

Platysma

Broad, paper thin sheet in superficial fascial plane that diffuses into subcutaneous fascia of thorax

Sternocleidomastoid

Contains sternal and clavicular heads

Mastoid process

Insertion of sternocleidomastoid

Sternum

Origin of Sternocleidomastoid

Sternocleidomastoid

Function is flexion and ipsilateral rotation of neck

Trapezius

Function is to elevate, retract, and depress the scapula

Accessory n.

Innervation of Sternocleidomastoid and trapezius

Suprahyoid muscles

Work to elevate the hyoid bone and depress the mandible

Mandible

Origin of mylohoid m.

Geniohyoid muscle

Styloid process to hyoid bone

Mylohyoid

Forms support of the base of the tongue

Digastric m.

Intertendon between bellies anchored to hyoid through fibrous sling from pretracheal fascia becase of angle of pull, elevates hyoid, depresses mandible

Infrahyoid muscle

Depresses hyoid

Trapezius, sternocleidomastoid, and clavicle

Define the posterior triangle

Omohyoid

What muscle divides the posterior triangle

Occipital triangle and supraclavicular triangle

The omohyoid divides the posterior triangle into

Sternocleidomastoid, mandible, and midline

Define the anterior triangle

Occipital triangle

part of external jugular vein, posterior branches of cervical plexus of nerves, accessory nerve, trunks fo brachial plexus, transverse cercical artery, cervical lymph nodes

Supraclavicular triangle

subclavian artery (3rd part), part of subclavian vein, suprascapular artery, supraclavicular lymph nodes

Submandibular triangle

submandibular gland, submandibular lymph nodes, hypoglossal nerve, mylohyoid nerve, parts of facial artery and vein

Submental triangle

suprahyoid muscles, submental lymph nodes, venous system to anterior jugular vein

Carotid triangle

carotid sheath and contents, external carotid artery, hypoglossal nerve, ansa cervicalis, accessory nerve, thyroid gland, larynx, pharynx, lymph nodes, branches of cervical plexus

Muscular triangle

sternothyroid, sternohyoid muscles, thyroid and parathyroid glands

Vagus n

contained in carotid sheath of carotid triangle, between carotid artery and internal jugular vein

Spinal accessory n

Found in occipital triangle; accepts branches from C2-C4

Hypoglossal n

Found in submandibular triangle, along with branch of C1

C3-C5

Phrenic nerve runs from spinal levels

C1-C4

Cervical plexus runs from

Vagus n

Controls most muscle of tonation

Hypoglossal n

Controls the intrinsic m. of tongue under the tongue

Suprascapular a., transverse cervical a., and interior thyroid a.

3 branches of the thyrocervical trunk are

Communicating branches

Collateral drainage of veins in the neck