AN35.1-10 | Deep structures in the neck — Glossary

Outermost deep cervical fascia encircling the entire neck, splitting to enclose SCM and trapezius, forming the roof of anterior and posterior triangles

Deep cervical fascia with muscular layer (enclosing strap muscles) and visceral layer (enclosing thyroid, trachea, oesophagus); attaches the thyroid to the larynx

Deep cervical fascia covering the prevertebral muscles and extending laterally as the axillary sheath around the brachial plexus and axillary vessels

Condensation of all three fascial layers containing the CCA, IJV, CN X, deep cervical lymph nodes, and ansa cervicalis

Potential space between the visceral layer of pretracheal fascia and the alar fascia; retropharyngeal abscess here causes stridor and neck stiffness

Space between the alar fascia and the prevertebral fascia extending to the posterior mediastinum; route for descending mediastinitis

Branch of CN X supplying all intrinsic laryngeal muscles except cricothyroid; right RLN loops under subclavian artery, left under aortic arch

First branch of the ECA supplying the upper pole of the thyroid gland; accompanied by the external laryngeal nerve

Branch of the thyrocervical trunk supplying the lower pole of the thyroid; the RLN crosses it, making it the key surgical landmark

Branch of the first part of the subclavian artery giving off the inferior thyroid, suprascapular, and transverse cervical arteries

First branch of the subclavian artery ascending through the transverse foramina of C6-C1 to enter the skull and form the basilar artery

Branch of the first part of the subclavian artery descending behind the costal cartilages to supply the anterior chest wall

Motor and sensory nerve to the diaphragm from C3, C4, C5; runs on the anterior surface of scalenus anterior in the neck

Main lymphatic duct draining the body below the diaphragm and left upper body; arches over the left subclavian artery to drain at the left venous angle

Left supraclavicular lymph node enlarged in gastric, lung, and other abdominal cancers due to thoracic duct drainage (Troisier's sign)

Fusion of the inferior cervical and first thoracic sympathetic ganglia at the neck of the first rib; blockade causes Horner's syndrome

Miosis, partial ptosis, enophthalmos, and anhidrosis from interruption of the cervical sympathetic chain at any level

Supernumerary rib from C7 vertebra that may compress the lower trunk of the brachial plexus and subclavian artery causing thoracic outlet syndrome

Surgical removal of cervical lymph nodes Levels I-V en bloc with SCM, IJV, and CN XI for metastatic head and neck cancer

Left-sided hoarseness from compression of the left RLN by an enlarged cardiovascular structure (large left atrium in rheumatic mitral stenosis or aortic aneurysm)

Major radicular artery reinforcing the anterior spinal artery, usually arising from T8-L2 on the left; critical in aortic surgery

Key landmark muscle of the root of the neck; the subclavian artery passes behind it and the subclavian vein passes in front