Dissection 1.1 - Posterior Cervical Region

Acromion Process

• Flat, expanded projection at the outer end of the spine of the scapula (shoulder) and articulates with clavicle

Cervical vertebrae

• C1-7 (most superior vertebrae)

• Short bifid spinous processes

• Anterior and posterior tubercles

• Transverse foramen holds vertebral artery (C1-6)

Deep (investing) fascia

• Thin whitish connective tissue that surrounds skeletal muscles, blood vessels, nerves, etc.

Deltoid

• Lateral to trapezius

• Origin: Lateral 1/3 of Clavicle (clavicular part), Acromion (acromial part), Spine of Scapula (spinal part)

  Mnemonic: 'Deltoid helps you carry SACS'

• Insertion: Deltoid tuberosity of humerus

Dermis

• Contain blood and lymph vessels, nerves, hair follicles, erector pili muscles, and sweat and sebaceous glands

Epidermis

• Superficial layer of skin

Erector spinae

• 3 muscles that run longitudinally along the vertebrae (spinalis, longissimus, and iliocostalis)

External ocipital protuberance

• Bump on occipital bone

Iliocostalis

• Most lateral of the 3 erector spinae muscles

Langer’s Lines

• Tension lines formed by the collagen and elastin composing dermis that are arranged in a parallel configuration

Latissimus dorsi

• Inferior to trapezius

• Origin: Spinous processes of lower thoracic vertebrae, thoracolumbar fascia, iliac crest, and inferior ¾ ribs

• Insersion: Floor of intertertubercular groove of humerus

Levator scapulae

• Origin: Transverse processes of C1-4

• Insertion: Attaches to medial border of scapula (between superior angles and the root of the scapular spine)

Longissimus

• Middle of the 3 erector spinale muscles

Lumbar vertebrae

• 5 lumbar vertebare

Mastoid process

• Part of temporal bone just behind the ear

• An attachment site for many muscles

Nuchal ligament

• Ligament that extends from eternal occipital protuberance to spinous process of C7

Posterior cutaneous VAN

• Superficial branches of dorsal rami

• Provide somatosensation and vasculature to skin on back

Rhomboid major and minor

• Located deep to trapezius

• Rhomboid major

  • Origin: Spinous process of T2-4

  • Insertion: Medial border of scapula

• Rhomboid minor

  • Origin: Nuchal ligament and spinous processes of C7-T1

  • Insersion: Medial border of scapula (at level of scapular spine)

Scapula

• Flat triangular bone that connects upper arm to collarbone

Semispinalis capitis

• Vertically running muscle

• Deep to splenis capitis and splenis cervicis

Superficial fascia

• Connective tissue that is deep to the skin and contains varying amounts of fat

Skull

Spinal accessory nerve (CN XI)

• Root of CN XI exit cranium via foramen magnum (jugular foramen → foramen magnum)

Spinalis

• Most medial of 3 erector spinale muscles (next to vertebral column)

Spinous process

• Posterior projection of vertebrae

Splenius capitis

• Oblique running muscles

• “Middle” of the 3 capitis/cervicis muscles

• Superior to splenis cervicis

Splenius cervicis

• Deep to trapezius

• Obliquely oriented fibers

• “Most lateral” of the 3 capitis/cervicis muscles

Suboccipital fascia

Superior nuchal lines

• Faint bony ridge that extends laterally from external occipital protuberance

Thoracic vertebrae

• T1-12

• Heart shaped body

• Articular facets -superior-inferior orientation

• Rib articulations (2 demi-facets on body + 1 facet on transverse process)

Transverse cervical a. and v.

• Transverse cervical a. arises from thyrocervical trunk (branch of subclavian)

Transverse process

• Lateral processes off of vertebrae

Trapezius

• Large diamond-shaped muscle

Vertebral prominens

• C7