Triangles of the neck

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Triangles of the neck
Musculi coli base, my edits for tringles, labeled triangles.svg
The triangles of the neck.
Gray1210.png
Side of neck, showing chief surface markings. (Nerves are yellow, arteries are red.)
Details
Identifiers
Latin trigonum cervicale, trigonum colli, regio cervicalis
Anatomical terminology

The triangles of the neck describe the divisions created by the major muscles in the region.

Contents

The side of the neck presents a somewhat quadrilateral outline, limited, above, by the lower border of the body of the mandible, and an imaginary line extending from the angle of the mandible to the mastoid process; below, by the upper border of the clavicle; in front, by the middle line of the neck; behind, by the anterior margin of the trapezius.

This space is subdivided into two large triangles by sternocleidomastoid, which passes obliquely across the neck, from the sternum and clavicle below, to the mastoid process and occipital bone above.

The triangular space in front of this muscle is called the anterior triangle of the neck; and that behind it, the posterior triangle of the neck.

The anterior triangle is further divided into muscular, carotid, submandibular and submental and the posterior into occipital and subclavian triangles. [1]

Clinical relevance

The use of the divisions described as the triangles of the neck permit the effective communication of the location of palpable masses located in the neck between healthcare professionals.

The common swellings anterior of the midline are:

Additional images

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Neck</span> Body part that connects the head and torso

The neck is the part of the body on many vertebrates that connects the head with the torso. The neck supports the weight of the head and protects the nerves that carry sensory and motor information from the brain down to the rest of the body. In addition, the neck is highly flexible and allows the head to turn and flex in all directions. The structures of the human neck are anatomically grouped into four compartments: vertebral, visceral and two vascular compartments. Within these compartments, the neck houses the cervical vertebrae and cervical part of the spinal cord, upper parts of the respiratory and digestive tracts, endocrine glands, nerves, arteries and veins. Muscles of the neck are described separately from the compartments. They bound the neck triangles.

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mylohyoid muscle</span> Paired muscle of the neck

The mylohyoid muscle or diaphragma oris is a paired muscle of the neck. It runs from the mandible to the hyoid bone, forming the floor of the oral cavity of the mouth. It is named after its two attachments near the molar teeth. It forms the floor of the submental triangle. It elevates the hyoid bone and the tongue, important during swallowing and speaking.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Posterior triangle of the neck</span> Region of the neck

The posterior triangle is a region of the neck.

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mastoid part of the temporal bone</span> Back part of the sides of the skull base

The mastoid part of the temporal bone is the posterior (back) part of the temporal bone, one of the bones of the skull. Its rough surface gives attachment to various muscles and it has openings for blood vessels. From its borders, the mastoid part articulates with two other bones.

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Submental triangle</span>

The submental triangle is a division of the anterior triangle of the neck.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Submandibular triangle</span>

The submandibular triangle corresponds to the region of the neck immediately beneath the body of the mandible.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Subclavian triangle</span>

The subclavian triangle, the smaller division of the posterior triangle, is bounded, above, by the inferior belly of the omohyoideus; below, by the clavicle; its base is formed by the posterior border of the sternocleidomastoideus.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Occipital triangle</span>

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The cheek constitutes the facial periphery and plays a key role in the maintenance of oral competence and mastication. It is also involved in the facial manifestation of human emotion and supports neighboring primary structures.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Submandibular space</span>

The submandibular space is a fascial space of the head and neck. It is a potential space, and is paired on either side, located on the superficial surface of the mylohyoid muscle between the anterior and posterior bellies of the digastric muscle. The space corresponds to the anatomic region termed the submandibular triangle, part of the anterior triangle of the neck.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Submental space</span>

The submental space is a fascial space of the head and neck. It is a potential space located between the mylohyoid muscle superiorly, the platysma muscle inferiorly, under the chin in the midline. The space coincides with the anatomic region termed the submental triangle, part of the anterior triangle of the neck.

References

  1. Canby, Craig (2016-06-29). "Triangles of the neck". Lecturio. Retrieved 2017-03-27.

PD-icon.svgThis article incorporates text in the public domain from page 563 of the 20th edition of Gray's Anatomy (1918)