revision
Head and neck
Lateral aspect
| Position |
Significance |
| Pterion: 4cm (about) above and anterior to pinna |
Anterior division of middle meningeal vessels behind thinnest area of skull, extradural haemorrhages |
| Pterion: above and behind |
Central sulcus of cerebral cortex separating motor cortex (anterior) and sensory cortex (posterior) |
| 2cm (about) above pinna |
Auditory cortex
Superficial temporal pulse (often visible) |
| Between pinna and mandible, extending below angle of mandible |
Parotid gland |
| Anterior to pinna |
Parotid nodes |
| Mastoid process |
Mastoid lymph nodes |
| Temporomandibular joint, below and behind |
Terminal branching of external carotid artery |
Anterior aspect
| Position |
Significance |
| Bridge of the nose, above and behind |
Cribriform plate: anterior cranial fossa fractures, anosmia, CSF rhinorrhoea |
| Supraorbital foramen |
Supraorbital nerve (Va) and vessels: fractures |
| Infraorbital foramen |
Infraorbital nerves (Vb) and vessels: fractures |
| Mental foramen |
Mental nerve (Vc) and vessels: fractures |
Posterior aspect
| Position |
Significance |
| External occipital protuberance, above |
Visual cortex |
| External occipital protuberance |
Confluence of sinuses |
| External occipital protuberance, below |
Cerebellum |
Neck
| Position |
Significance |
Approx. vertebral level |
| Hyoid bone, angle of mandible |
Tonsillar (jugulodigastric) node |
C2 |
| Ear lobe (roughly) – sternoclavicular joint |
Internal jugular vein, deep cervical chain of lymph (deep to sternocleidomastoid) |
|
| Angle of mandible–midpoint of clavicle |
External jugular vein |
|
| Lateral to superior border of thyroid cartilage |
Bifurcation of common carotid artery, carotid pulse |
C3 |
| Behind, and slightly below thyroid prominence |
Vocal cords |
C4 |
| Cricothyroid membrane |
Laryngotomy site |
C5 |
| Cricoid cartilage |
Cricopharyngeal sphincter, upper extent of oesophagus, trachea |
C6 |
| Sternocleidomastoid, trapezius, clavicle |
Boundaries of posterior triangle |
|
| Posterior triangle: one-third of way down posterior border–one-third of way up anterior border |
Accessory nerve (XI) |
|
Thorax
| Position |
Significance |
Approx. vertebral level |
| Sternoclavicular joint |
Formation of brachiocephalic veins (from subclavian, internal jugular) |
T2 |
| Suprasternal notch |
Trachea |
T2 |
| First intercostals space, anteriorly |
Formation of superior vena cava |
T3 |
| Sternal angle (of Louis) |
Bifurcation of trachea, lower limit of arch of aorta |
T4 |
|
|
Hilum of lung |
T5/6 |
Pleural cavities and reflections
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