Lecture L29: Neck Anatomy Vocabulary

85 vocabulary flashcards covering key anatomical terms, structures, and concepts from the neck lecture notes.

Occipital triangle

Posterior subdivision of the lateral cervical region bordered by the sternocleidomastoid, trapezius, and inferior belly of the omohyoid; part of the posterior triangle of the neck.

Submental triangle

Small midline triangle between the anterior bellies of the digastric and the hyoid bone; contains submental lymph nodes.

Carotid triangle

Anterior cervical triangle bordered by the sternocleidomastoid, superior belly of omohyoid, and posterior belly of digastric; encloses carotid sheath structures.

Submandibular triangle

Anterior cervical triangle bounded by the mandible and both digastric bellies; houses the submandibular gland and facial vessels.

Omoclavicular (subclavian) triangle

Inferior part of the posterior triangle formed by the clavicle, sternocleidomastoid, and inferior belly of omohyoid; contains subclavian vessels and brachial plexus trunks.

Muscular (omotracheal) triangle

Anterior triangle bounded by the midline, superior belly of omohyoid, and sternocleidomastoid; contains infrahyoid muscles and cervical viscera.

Lesser supraclavicular fossa

Small depression between the sternal and clavicular heads of the sternocleidomastoid, superior to the clavicle.

Superficial cervical fascia

Subcutaneous layer of neck containing fat, cutaneous nerves, superficial veins, and the platysma muscle.

Deep cervical fascia

Series of strong fibrous layers (investing, pretracheal, prevertebral) that envelope neck muscles, vessels, and viscera.

Investing layer (deep cervical fascia)

Most superficial layer of deep cervical fascia encasing the sternocleidomastoid, trapezius, and forming the roof of the neck triangles.

Pretracheal layer

Layer of deep cervical fascia anterior to the trachea; its muscular part surrounds infrahyoid muscles and its visceral part encloses thyroid, trachea, and esophagus.

Prevertebral layer

Deep cervical fascia surrounding the vertebral column and associated muscles; forms the floor of the posterior triangle.

Carotid sheath

Tubular fascial condensation enclosing the common/internal carotid arteries, internal jugular vein, and vagus nerve.

Alar fascia

Thin fascial layer between prevertebral and buccopharyngeal fasciae forming the anterior wall of the danger (retropharyngeal) space.

Buccopharyngeal fascia

Posterior component of the pretracheal layer covering the pharynx and esophagus.

Retropharyngeal space

Potential space between buccopharyngeal and alar fasciae allowing pharyngeal movement; possible infection pathway to mediastinum.

Suprasternal space

Fascial interval above the manubrium between investing fascia layers; contains fat and lymph nodes.

Platysma

Thin superficial neck muscle that tenses skin, depresses mandible and mouth corners; innervated by cervical branch of facial nerve (CN VII).

Sternocleidomastoid (SCM)

Muscle from manubrium and medial clavicle to mastoid process; bilaterally flexes neck, unilaterally rotates head; innervated by spinal accessory nerve (CN XI).

Omohyoid

Infrahyoid muscle with superior and inferior bellies linked by an intermediate tendon; depresses/steadies hyoid; innervated by ansa cervicalis.

Sternohyoid

Infrahyoid muscle from manubrium/clavicle to hyoid; depresses hyoid bone; ansa cervicalis innervation.

Sternothyroid

Infrahyoid muscle from manubrium to thyroid cartilage; depresses hyoid and larynx; supplied by ansa cervicalis.

Thyrohyoid

Infrahyoid muscle from thyroid cartilage to hyoid; depresses hyoid, elevates larynx; innervated by C1 fibers via hypoglossal nerve (CN XII).

Anterior scalene

Muscle from cervical transverse processes to first rib; flexes neck and elevates rib 1; innervated by cervical anterior rami.

Middle scalene

Muscle from cervical transverse processes to first rib posterior to subclavian groove; assists neck flexion and rib 1 elevation; cervical anterior rami.

Posterior scalene

Muscle from lower cervical transverse processes to second rib; laterally flexes neck and elevates rib 2; cervical anterior rami.

Levator scapulae

Posterior triangle floor muscle that elevates scapula; innervated by dorsal scapular nerve.

Splenius capitis

Superficial back muscle contributing to posterior triangle floor; extends and rotates the head.

Semispinalis capitis

Deep muscle sometimes visible in posterior triangle; functions in head extension.

Trapezius

Large superficial back muscle forming posterior triangle border; elevates and retracts scapula; innervated by spinal accessory nerve.

Digastric muscle

Suprahyoid muscle with anterior belly (CN V3) and posterior belly (CN VII); elevates hyoid and depresses mandible via intermediate tendon.

Stylohyoid

Suprahyoid muscle from styloid process to hyoid; elevates and retracts hyoid; facial nerve (CN VII) innervation.

Mylohyoid

Suprahyoid muscle forming the floor of mouth; elevates hyoid/floor; innervated by nerve to mylohyoid (CN V3).

Geniohyoid

Suprahyoid muscle deep to mylohyoid from mental spines to hyoid; elevates hyoid; innervated by C1 via hypoglossal nerve.

Cervical plexus

Nerve plexus formed by anterior rami of C1–C4; provides cutaneous nerves, ansa cervicalis, and contributes to phrenic nerve.

Ansa cervicalis

Loop of cervical plexus (C1–C3) supplying infrahyoid muscles except thyrohyoid.

Spinal accessory nerve (CN XI)

Motor nerve to sternocleidomastoid and trapezius; crosses the posterior triangle superficially.

Dorsal scapular nerve

Branch of brachial plexus (C5) supplying rhomboids and levator scapulae; pierces middle scalene.

Suprascapular nerve

Upper trunk branch of brachial plexus to supraspinatus and infraspinatus; traverses posterior triangle to scapula.

Phrenic nerve

Motor and sensory nerve to diaphragm (C3-C5); descends on anterior scalene.

Transverse cervical nerve

Cutaneous branch (C2-C3) of cervical plexus supplying skin of anterior neck.

Supraclavicular nerves

Cutaneous branches (C3-C4) of cervical plexus to skin over clavicle and shoulder.

Vagus nerve (CN X)

Cranial nerve within carotid sheath providing parasympathetic fibers and motor innervation to larynx, pharynx, thoracic and abdominal organs.

Hypoglossal nerve (CN XII)

Motor nerve to tongue muscles; loops around carotid arteries, carries C1 fibers to geniohyoid and thyrohyoid.

Glossopharyngeal nerve (CN IX)

Cranial nerve giving sensory/motor branches to pharynx and posterior tongue; courses near upper carotid arteries.

Facial nerve cervical branch

Branch of CN VII supplying platysma and other superficial neck muscles.

Nerve to mylohyoid

Branch of inferior alveolar nerve (CN V3) innervating mylohyoid and anterior belly of digastric.

Sympathetic trunk (cervical part)

Autonomic chain with superior, middle, and inferior cervical ganglia located posteromedial to carotid sheath.

External jugular vein

Superficial vein crossing SCM formed by retromandibular and posterior auricular veins; drains into subclavian vein.

Internal jugular vein

Major venous drainage of brain, face, and neck; lies within carotid sheath and joins subclavian vein to form brachiocephalic.

Subclavian artery

Main artery of upper limb; third part crosses posterior triangle; branches include vertebral and thyrocervical trunk.

Thyrocervical trunk

Branch of subclavian artery giving rise to inferior thyroid, transverse cervical, and suprascapular arteries.

Transverse cervical artery

Thyrocervical trunk branch crossing posterior triangle to supply trapezius.

Suprascapular artery

Thyrocervical trunk branch to supraspinatus and infraspinatus; passes over superior transverse scapular ligament.

Dorsal scapular artery

Artery (branch of subclavian or transverse cervical) supplying rhomboids and levator scapulae.

Vertebral artery

First branch of subclavian ascending through cervical transverse foramina to supply the brainstem.

Inferior thyroid artery

Thyrocervical trunk branch supplying thyroid and parathyroid glands.

Common carotid artery

Major neck artery that bifurcates at C4 into internal and external carotids; enclosed in carotid sheath.

Internal carotid artery

Branch of common carotid with no neck branches; ascends within sheath to supply brain.

External carotid artery

Branch of common carotid giving multiple branches to neck and face; located outside carotid sheath.

Superior thyroid artery

First anterior branch of external carotid supplying thyroid gland and larynx.

Lingual artery

External carotid branch supplying tongue and floor of the mouth.

Facial artery

External carotid branch that crosses mandible to supply face.

Ascending pharyngeal artery

Medial branch of external carotid supplying pharynx and meninges.

Occipital artery

Posterior branch of external carotid supplying posterior scalp.

Posterior auricular artery

External carotid branch supplying auricle and scalp behind ear.

Superficial temporal artery

Terminal branch of external carotid ascending in temporal region to scalp.

Maxillary artery

Large terminal branch of external carotid supplying deep structures of face and infratemporal fossa.

Hyoid bone

U-shaped bone at C3 level anchoring suprahyoid and infrahyoid muscles; does not articulate with other bones.

Mastoid process

Conical projection of temporal bone posterior to ear; insertion of SCM and posterior digastric.

Mental protuberance

Midline prominence of the mandible forming the chin.

Laryngeal prominence

Anterior protrusion of thyroid cartilage (Adam’s apple) at C4-C5.

Jugular notch

Superior concavity of manubrium between clavicular notches.

External occipital protuberance

Midline bony projection on posterior skull; attachment for nuchal ligament.

C7 spinous process

Prominent spinous process of vertebra prominens palpable at base of neck.

Acromion process

Lateral extension of scapular spine forming the highest point of the shoulder.

Manubrium

Upper part of sternum articulating with clavicles and first ribs.

Thyroid cartilage

Largest laryngeal cartilage surrounding vocal cords; located at C4-C5.

Cricoid cartilage

Ring-shaped laryngeal cartilage at C6 below thyroid cartilage.

Trachea

Airway tube extending from larynx (C6) to thorax (T4); anterior to esophagus.

Nuchal ligament

Midline fibrous structure from external occipital protuberance to C7 spinous process; continuation of supraspinous ligament.

Submandibular gland

Major salivary gland located in submandibular triangle beneath the mandible.

Thyroid gland

Bilobed endocrine gland deep to sternohyoid and sternothyroid muscles, anterolateral to larynx and trachea; may have a pyramidal lobe.

Parathyroid glands

Typically two pairs of small endocrine glands on the posterior surface of the thyroid regulating calcium homeostasis.

Thymus

Lymphoid organ of anterior mediastinum that may extend into lower neck during childhood; site of T-cell maturation.