Cervical Anatomy Review

These flashcards cover key concepts about the cervical anatomy, including triangles, muscles, nerves, and vessels.

What forms the anterior boundary of the posterior triangle?

Posterior border of SCM

What forms the posterior boundary of the posterior triangle?

Anterior border of trapezius

What forms the inferior boundary of the posterior triangle?

Middle third of clavicle

What structure forms the roof of the posterior triangle?

Investing layer of deep cervical fascia

What fascia forms the floor of the posterior triangle?

Prevertebral fascia

Which muscles make up the floor of the posterior triangle?

Splenius capitis, levator scapulae, scalenes

What nerve is found in the occipital triangle?

Accessory nerve (CN XI)

Which sensory nerves arise from the cervical plexus in the posterior triangle?

Cutaneous sensory branches

What vessels are found in the supraclavicular triangle?

Subclavian artery & vein, suprascapular artery, external jugular vein

Which artery crosses the posterior triangle?

Suprascapular artery

Which major vein runs superficially across the SCM into the posterior triangle?

External jugular vein

Which scalene muscle lies anterior to the brachial plexus?

Anterior scalene

Which scalene helps divide the subclavian artery into parts?

Anterior scalene

Which scalene attaches to rib 2?

Posterior scalene

What forms the anterior boundary of the anterior triangle?

Midline of neck

What forms the posterior boundary of the anterior triangle?

Anterior border of SCM

What forms the superior boundary of the anterior triangle?

Inferior border of mandible

What forms the roof of the anterior triangle?

Investing layer of deep cervical fascia + platysma

What structures form the floor of the anterior triangle?

Pharynx, larynx, thyroid gland (all covered by pretracheal fascia)

What are the subdivisions of the anterior triangle?

Submental, submandibular, carotid, muscular

What is the superolateral border of the muscular triangle?

Superior belly of omohyoid

What is the inferolateral border of the muscular triangle?

Anterior border of SCM

What forms the medial border of the muscular triangle?

Midline of neck

What is the roof of the muscular triangle?

Investing layer of deep cervical fascia + platysma

What forms the floor of the muscular triangle?

Pretracheal fascia

Which four muscles lie in the muscular triangle?

Sternohyoid, omohyoid, sternothyroid, thyrohyoid

What viscera lie within the muscular triangle?

Thyroid, parathyroid glands; larynx, trachea, upper esophagus

Which vessels supply the muscular triangle?

Superior thyroid artery & vein

Which nerve loop innervates most infrahyoids?

Ansa cervicalis (C1–C3)

Which infrahyoid is NOT innervated by ansa cervicalis?

Thyrohyoid

What is the function of the infrahyoid muscles?

Depress hyoid and larynx (swallowing)

Which muscle depresses the hyoid?

Sternohyoid

Which muscle depresses the larynx?

Sternothyroid

Which strap muscle is innervated by C1 via CN XII?

Thyrohyoid

What is the superior boundary of the submandibular triangle?

Inferior border of mandible

What is the anterior boundary of the submandibular triangle?

Anterior belly of digastric

What is the posterior boundary of the submandibular triangle?

Posterior belly of digastric + stylohyoid

What is the roof of the submandibular triangle?

Investing layer of deep cervical fascia + platysma

What muscles form the floor of the submandibular triangle?

Mylohyoid, hyoglossus, middle pharyngeal constrictor

What gland is located in the submandibular triangle?

Submandibular gland

Which cranial nerve passes through the submandibular triangle?

Hypoglossal nerve (CN XII)

What nerve to thyrohyoid travels with CN XII?

C1 fibers → nerve to thyrohyoid

What nerve to mylohyoid comes from V3?

Nerve to mylohyoid

Which artery and vein pass through the submandibular triangle?

Facial artery and facial vein

What are the lateral borders of the submental triangle?

Right & left anterior belly of digastric

What is the inferior border of the submental triangle?

Body of the hyoid

What direction does the apex of the submental triangle point?

Toward mandibular symphysis

What forms the floor of the submental triangle?

Mylohyoid muscles (right & left)

What contents are found in the submental triangle?

Submental lymph nodes

What is the function of the suprahyoid muscles?

Elevate hyoid/floor of mouth

Which muscle elevates the hyoid and floor of mouth?

Mylohyoid

Which suprahyoid muscle has two muscle bellies?

Digastric

Which muscle originates from the styloid process?

Stylohyoid

What is the origin of the cricothyroid muscle?

Anterolateral surface of cricoid cartilage

What is the insertion of the cricothyroid muscle?

Inferior margin & inferior horn of thyroid cartilage

What is the action of the cricothyroid muscle?

Tenses/elongates vocal cords (raises pitch)

What is the innervation of the cricothyroid muscle?

External branch of superior laryngeal nerve (CN X)

What is the blood supply to the cricothyroid muscle?

Superior thyroid artery

What is the superior boundary of the carotid triangle?

Posterior belly of digastric

What is the inferomedial boundary of the carotid triangle?

Superior belly of omohyoid

What is the inferolateral boundary of the carotid triangle?

Anterior border of SCM

What forms the roof of the carotid triangle?

Investing fascia + platysma

What forms the floor of the carotid triangle?

Thyrohyoid, hyoglossus, middle & inferior constrictors

What major contents are found within the carotid sheath?

Common carotid artery, internal jugular vein, vagus nerve

What nerve senses carotid sinus pressure?

CN IX

What nerve senses carotid body chemistry?

CN IX

Which nerve loop lies in the carotid triangle?

Ansa cervicalis

What are the root levels of the cervical plexus?

C1–C4

What innervates most infrahyoids?

Ansa cervicalis

What provides sensory innervation to the neck skin?

Cutaneous branches of cervical plexus

What nerve innervates the diaphragm?

Phrenic nerve (C3–C5)

How many thyroid arteries are there?

Two (superior & inferior)

How many thyroid veins are there?

Three

Which vein drains into the brachiocephalic vein?

Inferior thyroid vein

What is the origin of the superior thyroid artery?

External carotid artery

What is the origin of the inferior thyroid artery?

Thyrocervical trunk

What veins form the brachiocephalic vein?

Internal jugular + subclavian veins

What structures are found in the carotid sheath?

Common carotid artery, internal jugular vein, vagus nerve

What are the two major triangles of the neck?

Anterior and Posterior triangles

What are the two main subdivisions of the posterior triangle?

Occipital triangle and Supraclavicular triangle

What is the function of the infrahyoid muscles?

Depress hyoid and larynx (during swallowing)

Which nerve innervates the thyrohyoid muscle?

C1 fibers via CN XII

What nerve innervates the mylohyoid muscle?

Nerve to mylohyoid (from V3)

What is the function of the suprahyoid muscles?

Elevate hyoid/floor of mouth

What are the boundaries of the carotid triangle?

Superior: Posterior belly of digastric; Inferomedial: Superior belly of omohyoid; Inferolateral: Anterior border of SCM

What is the main function of the cricothyroid muscle?

Tenses/elongates vocal cords to raise pitch

What is the innervation of the cricothyroid muscle?

External branch of superior laryngeal nerve (CN X)

What are the components of the ansa cervicalis?

C1–C3 nerve loop

What forms the anterior boundary of the posterior triangle?

Posterior border of SCM

What forms the posterior boundary of the posterior triangle?

Anterior border of trapezius

What forms the inferior boundary of the posterior triangle?

Middle third of clavicle

What structure forms the roof of the posterior triangle?

Investing layer of deep cervical fascia

What fascia forms the floor of the posterior triangle?

Prevertebral fascia

Which muscles make up the floor of the posterior triangle?

Splenius capitis, levator scapulae, scalenes

What nerve is found in the occipital triangle?

Accessory nerve (CN XI)

Which sensory nerves arise from the cervical plexus in the posterior triangle?

Cutaneous sensory branches

What vessels are found in the supraclavicular triangle?

Subclavian artery & vein, suprascapular artery, external jugular vein

Which artery crosses the posterior triangle?

Suprascapular artery

Which major vein runs superficially across the SCM into the posterior triangle?

External jugular vein

Which scalene muscle lies anterior to the brachial plexus?

Anterior scalene