Anterior Thorax and Neck - LO 4

4. Understand why areas are sometimes divided into anatomical ‘triangles.’ Describe the boundaries and contents of the anterior cervical triangle and deltopectoral triangle.

Regions are often subdivided into anatomical triangles for better and more accurate communication regarding the location of structures, injuries, and pathologies among healthcare teams. Examples of anatomical triangles are as follows: 

Anterior cervical triangle

Boundaries

• Medial: midline

• Lateral: sternocleidomastoid m., anterior border

• Superior: base of mandible

Contents

• Viscera

  • Submandibular gland, superficial part

  • Thyroid gland

  • Parathyroid glands

• Larynx

• Pharynx

• Hyoid bone

• Carotid sheath and contents (common carotid a., internal jugular v., vagus n.)

• Infrahyoid mm. and some suprahyoid mm.