Anterior Neck - LO2

2. Diagram the anterior cervical triangle. What are the subdivisions of this triangle, and what structures are associated with these triangles? What is the purpose of subdividing this region into triangles?

The anterior cervical triangle boundaries include:

• • Medial: midline,

  • Lateral: anterior border of the sternocleidomastoid m. (SCM)

  • Superior: base of the mandible.

The anterior triangle of the neck may be subdivided into 4 triangles. They are the:

• • Submandibular (digastric) triangle

    • Inferior: anterior & posterior bellies of digastric m.

    • Superior: mandible

    • Contents: submandibular gland and the facial a. & v.

  • Submental triangle

    • Medial: midline

    • Lateral: anterior belly of digastric m.

    • Inferior: hyoid bone

  • Carotid triangle

    • Superior: posterior belly of digastric m.

    • Lateral: sternocleidomastoid m.

    • Medial: superior belly of omohyoid m.

    • Contents: carotid sheath (and contents)

  • Muscular triangle

    • Medial: midline

    • Inferolaterally: sternocleidomastoid m.

    • Superolaterally: superior belly of omohyoid m.

    • Contents: infrahyoid mm., thyroid gland, and the larynx

A main purpose of subdividing the region into triangles is to allow better and more accurate communication regarding the location of structures, injuries, and pathologies among health care teams.