(ON BOTH SIDES) Identify and clean the superficial structures of the muscular triangle of the neck.
- Blunt dissect along the anterior border of the SCM. Use your fingers to free the SCM from the underlying structures. Cut the SCM at its sternoclavicular attachment and reflect it toward the mastoid process. (G 8.14;N 32;Gl 45.31D) Leave the attachment to the mastoid process intact. Identify the accessory nerve where it enters the SCM.
- Identify the
hyoid bone (palpate location) and
laryngeal prominence (thyroid cartilage). (G 8.9; N 27;Gl 45.32)
Important Relationship
- The hyoid bone is positioned superior to the thyroid cartilage.
- Identify and clean the
sternohyoid,
sternothyroid and
omohyoid (superior belly) muscles. (Be careful of the ansa cervicalis in/on the carotid sheath). (G 8.14;N 28;Gl 45.34)
Important Relationships
- The omohyoid muscle is positioned anterior-lateral to the sternothyroid muscle and passes superficial to the carotid sheath.
- At the level of the thyroid cartilage, the sternothyroid muscle is positioned deep and lateral to the sternohyoid muscle.
