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POSTERIOR TRIANGLE OF NECK

BYPROF. DR. ANSARI

CHAIRPERSON & PROF. ANATOMYRAKCODS

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1. Upper pointer: Parotid gland Lower pointer: Parotid-masseteric fascia2. Cervical branch of facial nerve3. Mandibular marginal branch of facial nerve4. Anastomosis of cervical cutaneus nerve with facial nerve5. Platysma (reflected anteriorly)6. External jugular vein7. Cutaneus colli nerve8. Sternocleidomastoid muscle9. Anterior supraclavicular nerves10. Medial supraclavicular nerves11. Upper pointer: Clavicle (acromial end) Lower pointer: Deltoid muscle12. Great auricular nerve13. Prevertebral fascia14. Minor occipital nerve15. Borders of posterior cervical triangle16. Accessory nerve (XI)17. Trapezius muscle18. Posterior supraclavicular nerves19. Superficial cervical lymph glands20. Superficial lymphatic vessel passing through cervical fascia

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THE EXTERNAL JUGULAR VEIN

• This vein is formed near the angle of the mandible by the union of the posterior branch of retro mandibular and posterior auricular veins .

• It crosses sternocleidomastoid muscle, runs over the roof of the triangle and joins the subclavian veins

• The vein drains most of the scalp and face on the same side. • This vein dilates and becomes visible in fluid overload, in heart

failure in SVC obstruction, prolonged raised intrathoracic pressure, etc..

• The walls of the vein are attached to the deep fascia. If the vein is lacerated, the fascia pulls the vein open and bleeding is severe. Also, air embolism could follow.

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ARTERIES IN THE POST. TRIANGLE• The subclavian artery (1) • Transverse cervical artery

from the thyrocervical trunk to supply muscles in the scapular region.

• Suprascapular artery (6) from the thyrocervical trunk.

• Occipital artery, from the external carotid artery.

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NERVES IN THE TRIANGLE

• Spinal accessory nerve to the sternocleidomastoid muscle and the trapezius muscle.

• Cervical plexus and its cutaneous branches from up downwards.

• Lesser occipital nerve (c2) • Great auricular nerve (c2 c3) • Transverse cervical nerve (c2

c3) • Suprascapular nerves (c3c4) • Supraclavicular part of the

brachial plexus

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FLOOR OF TRIANGLE1=SCALENUS ANT.

2=SCALENEUS MEDIUS3=SCALENEUS POST.

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LYMPHATICS OF POST. TRIANGLE

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REFERENCES

• http://www.nursing-lectures.com/2012/05/nursing-assessment-of-head-and-neck.html

• http://meded.ucsd.edu/clinicalmed/head.htm• http://www.instantanatomy.net/diagrams/HN

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Sample MCQS

• Which of the following muscles lies in the floor of posterior triangle of neck?

• A. Scaleneus anterior• B. Scaleneus medius• C. Sternomastoid• D. Trapezius• E. Sternohyoid

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