Overview of the head and neck

This chapter contains an overview of the topographical anatomy of the head and neck. These anatomical regions are probably amongst the most complex in the body because so many structures are contained within a relatively small area. The head contains the brain (see Section 3) and specialized sensory organs such as the eyes, ears, nose and oral cavity (for taste appreciation). The head and neck collectively…

Improving surgical performance through human factors recognition and enhanced team working

Human error is a significant cause of personal and organizational mistakes, and the need to recognize and address human factors (HF), performance optimization and team dynamics is essential to improve patient safety. Surgical errors are usually multifactorial rather than the fault of one individual: organizational issues, team dynamics and HF are often at the root of many incidents. The World Health Organization (WHO) surgical checklist and…

Clinical Applications

Cricothyrotomy Gray's Anatomy for Students: 536, 541, 543 Netter: 78, 83 Clinical Application Procedure creates an emergent airway through the cricothyroid membrane. Anatomic Landmarks ( Figs. VIII.1 and VIII.2 ) Palpation of midline structures Hyoid cartilage Thyroid cartilage Cricoid cartilage Skin/subcutaneous tissue Cricothyroid arteries and small veins (may traverse the cricothyroid membrane) Cricothyroid membrane Tracheal Intubation Gray's Anatomy for Students: 552, 553, 560 Netter: 68, 75,…

Retropharyngeal Region and Pharynx

Atlas References Netter: 75, 76, 79, 80, 86–88, 147, 148 McMinn: 45, 47 Gray's Atlas: 553–555, 565 Before You Begin Place the cadaver in the supine position, and identify the following landmarks in the postcraniotomy skull ( Fig. 29.1 ): Anterior, middle, and posterior cranial fossae Transverse and sigmoid sinuses Confluence of sinuses Dissection Steps o With toothed forceps and a scalpel, remove the dura mater…

Larynx

Atlas References Netter: 89–93 McMinn: 48–50 Gray's Atlas: 558–562 Before You Begin The larynx occupies the space between the epiglottis superiorly and the inferior border of the cricoid cartilage. Inspection Technique 1 o The inspection begins by examining the larynx in a hemisected head. o In a hemisected specimen, identify the epiglottis, laryngopharynx, thyroid cartilage, vallecula, uvula, posterior pharyngeal wall, cervical vertebrae, and trachea ( Fig.…

Pharynx and Oral Cavity

Atlas References Netter: 65–72, 77, 81–86 McMinn: 46, 52 Gray's Atlas: 552–557, 572–582 Dissection Steps o Identify the borders of the nasopharynx, oropharynx, and laryngopharynx on the cadaver ( Fig. 27.1 ). o The tensor veli palatini and the levator veli palatini muscles have been identified during the dissection of the pterygopalatine fossa (see Fig. 27.1 and Chapter 26 ). o Identify the torus tubarius, a…

Nasal Cavity

Atlas References Netter: 45–52, 61, 142 McMinn: 58, 59, 73 Gray's Atlas: 566–571 Dissection Steps o Exposure of the contents of the nasal cavity requires a midsagittal transection through the head ( Fig. 26.1 ). Dissection Tip Electric saws are usually too small for transection of the head. Make sure that one of your classmates holds the cadaver head firmly as you cut with the saw.…

Ear

Atlas References Netter: 105–110 McMinn: 60–61 Gray's Atlas: 520–525 Before You Begin Identify the following bones in your atlas, text, and on a skull: Petrous part of temporal bone Squamous part of temporal bone Petrosquamous fissure (at junction of petrous and squamous parts) Arcuate eminence (overlies anterior semicircular canal) Internal acoustic meatus Hiatus of facial canal (greater petrosal nerve exits temporal bone from here) Groove for…

Orbit

Atlas References Netter: 94–104 McMinn: 54–57 Gray's Atlas: 508–519 Before You Begin Remove all soft tissues with a scalpel and expose the frontal and temporal bones. Reflect the temporalis muscle as laterally as possible. Osteotomy of Orbital Roof o With an electric saw or a mallet and chisel, make a second vertical cut through the frontal bone, lateral to the supraorbital notch ( Fig. 24.1 ).…

Calvaria, Dural Venous Sinuses, Brain, and Cranial Nerves

Atlas References Netter: 111–126, 149–158 McMinn: 51–53, 62–72 Gray's Atlas: 490–502 Before You Begin The skin of the face has been previously removed (see Chapter 21 ). Dissection Steps o Continue the removal of the facial skin toward the occipital region, and separate the skin from the subcutaneous tissue ( Fig. 23.1 ). o Identify and expose the superficial temporal artery and its branches ( Fig.…

Infratemporal Fossa

Atlas References Netter: 9, 10, 55–62, 64, 81–84 McMinn: 42, 44, 76 Gray's Atlas: 507, 527–533 Before You Begin The infratemporal fossa dissection requires the use of an electric saw or a hammer and chisel. Make sure that you wear eye protection when you use these tools. Cut the terminal branches of the facial nerve, and reflect the nerves posteriorly toward the parotid gland ( Fig.…

Face

Atlas References Netter: 42, 53–54, 83–85 McMinn: 38–41 Gray's Atlas: 503–506 Before You Begin Review the superficial anatomy of the face: Glabella Root of nose, dorsum of nose Tip of nose Ala Columella nasi Philtrum Mental protuberance Modiolus Vermillion border Palpate the following facial landmarks on the cadaver: Jugular notch Mental protuberance Nasion Glabella Vertex External occipital protuberance (inion) Mastoid process Ramus, angle, and body of…

Neck

Atlas References Netter: 8, 9, 31, 32, 35, 38–41, 141–142 McMinn: 28–37 Gray's Atlas: 536, 539–551 Before You Begin Palpate the following landmarks on your neck or the cadaver: Mental protuberance Hyoid bone Laryngeal prominence (“Adam's apple”) Cricoid cartilage Jugular notch Thyroid gland Anatomic Triangles Anatomy Note The neck may be divided into smaller topographic areas, the triangles of the neck. Specifically, the “carotid triangle” and…

Clinical Applications

Trochanteric Bursitis Injection Gray's Anatomy for Students: 296-299 Netter: 481, 482, 494 Clinical Application Introduce local anesthetic using an intrabursal injection to relieve pain of inflamed trochanteric bursa. Anatomic Landmarks ( Figs. VII.1 and VII.2 ) Skin Subcutaneous tissue Iliotibial fascia Tensor fasciae latae Trochanteric bursa Greater trochanter Prepatellar Bursitis Aspiration/Injection Gray's Anatomy for Students: 325–326 Netter: 498–502 Clinical Application Introduce local anesthesia into prepatellar bursa…

Foot

Atlas References Netter: 516–528 McMinn: 344–354 Gray's Atlas: 350–363 Before You Begin Identify and palpate the calcaneus , the lateral longitudinal arch , and the five metatarsal heads ( Fig. 19.1 ). Skin and Subcutaneous Tissue o Make a longitudinal incision starting from the lateral side of the calcaneus and following the lateral side of the lateral longitudinal arch, terminating at the 1st metatarsal head (…

Leg and Ankle

Atlas References Netter: 495–514 McMinn: 328–343 Gray's Atlas: 318–329, 339–347 Before You Begin Identify the great and small (lesser) saphenous veins and the saphenous and sural nerves, from the previous dissection of the thigh and leg in Chapter 17 . Posterior Leg o Insert scissors or a probe between the semitendinosus and biceps femoris muscles into the popliteal fossa, and remove the superficial adipose tissue (…

Thigh and Leg

Atlas References Netter: 480–485, 490–491 McMinn: 320–327 Gray's Atlas: 299, 300, 306–317 Before You Begin Palpate the following bony landmarks on the cadaver or on yourself: Anterior superior iliac spine Pubic tubercle Pubic symphysis Greater trochanter of femur Medial and lateral femoral condyles Patella Tibial tuberosity Head and neck of fibula Medial and lateral malleoli of tibia and fibula, respectively Dissection Steps o Make a horizontal…

Gluteal Region

Atlas References Netter: 492–494 McMinn: 316–319 Gray's Atlas: 301–303, 307, 314, 315 Before You Begin Typically, you will not need to make additional skin incisions if you continue the dissection on the same cadaver on which you performed the dissection of the back in Chapter 2 ( Fig. 16.1 ). If not, place the cadaver in the prone position, and incise the skin and subcutaneous tissues…