Test Your Knowledge: Anterior & Posterior Triangles of the Neck Quiz
Master the anterior and posterior neck triangles - start the quiz!
Use this quiz to spot and label the anterior and posterior triangles of the neck, including their borders and key contents. Practice now to check gaps before your exam. Start with region ID practice or explore the full neck quiz.
Study Outcomes
- Identify Anatomical Boundaries -
Identify the anatomical borders of the anterior and posterior triangles of the neck, including muscle and bony landmarks that define each region.
- Describe Triangle Contents -
Describe the major muscles, vessels, and nerves contained within the anterior and posterior neck triangles, emphasizing their spatial relationships.
- Distinguish Clinical Differences -
Distinguish between the clinical significance of the anterior versus posterior triangles, focusing on potential sites for surgical access and pathology.
- Analyze Nerve Pathways -
Analyze the course of peripheral nerves, such as the accessory nerve and cervical plexus branches, as they traverse the anterior and posterior triangle regions.
- Apply Palpation Techniques -
Apply physical examination methods to palpate key landmarks within the anterior and posterior triangles, enhancing accuracy in clinical assessments.
- Evaluate Procedural Sites -
Evaluate optimal sites within the neck triangles for common medical procedures, such as nerve blocks or central line placement.
Cheat Sheet
- Anterior Triangle Boundaries -
The anterior triangle of the neck is bordered by the anterior border of the sternocleidomastoid, the midline of the neck, and the inferior border of the mandible. It can be subdivided into the submandibular, submental, carotid, and muscular triangles using the digastric and superior belly of omohyoid muscles. Use the mnemonic "My Dog Caught Some Meat" (Mandible, Digastric, Carotid, Sternocleidomastoid, Midline) to remember its boundaries.
- Posterior Triangle Boundaries -
The posterior triangle of the neck lies between the posterior border of the sternocleidomastoid, the anterior border of the trapezius, and the middle third of the clavicle. The inferior belly of the omohyoid muscle further divides it into the occipital and supraclavicular (subclavian) triangles. Remember "COT" (Clavicle, Omohyoid, Trapezius) to quickly recall its borders.
- Key Anterior Triangle Contents -
Within the carotid triangle of the anterior triangle, you'll find the common carotid artery bifurcating, the internal jugular vein, vagus nerve, hypoglossal nerve, and ansa cervicalis within the carotid sheath. The submandibular triangle contains the submandibular gland and facial artery. A handy mnemonic for cranial nerve XII and the ansa cervicalis is "HA to XII" (Hypoglossal, Ansa, XII).
- Key Posterior Triangle Contents -
The posterior triangle houses the spinal accessory nerve (CN XI), cervical plexus branches, roots and trunks of the brachial plexus, subclavian artery, and the external jugular vein. The floor is formed by the scalene muscles, levator scapulae, and splenius capitis. Use "SOAP+B" (Spinal accessory, Omovertebral, Ansa, Phrenic, Brachial plexus) as a memory aid.
- Clinical Relevance & Landmarks -
Surface landmarks in the anterior and posterior triangles of the neck guide procedures like central line placement in the internal jugular vein (anterior) and biopsy of cervical lymph nodes (posterior). Beware of the accessory nerve in the posterior triangle; it lies superficially 2 cm above the clavicle at "Erb's point," an important surgical landmark. Clinicians often memorize "J Erb 2" for Jugular access, Erb's point, 2 cm above clavicle.