Triangles of the neck
| Triangles of the neck | |
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 The triangles of the neck. | |
 Side of neck, showing chief surface markings. (Nerves are yellow, arteries are red.) | |
Anatomists use the term triangles of the neck to describe the divisions created by the major muscles in the region.
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.
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.
Additional images
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Lateral head anatomy detail
References
This article incorporates text in the public domain from the 20th edition of Gray's Anatomy (1918)
External links
- lesson6 at The Anatomy Lesson by Wesley Norman (Georgetown University)
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