The Surgical Form Of The Superficial Cervical And Facial Regions And The Relative Position Of The Principal Blood-vessels And Nerves

Sources: Surgical Anatomy

When the neck is extended in surgical position, as seen in Plates 3 and

4, its general outline assumes a quadrilateral shape, approaching to a

square. The sides of this square are formed anteriorly by the line

ranging from the mental symphysis to the top of the sternum, and

posteriorly by a line drawn between the occiput and shoulder. The

superior side of this cervical square is drawn by the horizontal ramus

of the low r maxilla, and the inferior side by the horizontal line of

the clavicle. This square space, R 16, 8, 6, Plate 4, is halved by a

diagonal line, drawn by the sterno-cleido-mastoid muscle B, which cuts

the square into two triangles. In the anterior triangle, F 16, 6, Plate

4, is located the superficial common carotid artery, C, and its

branches, D, with accompanying nerves. In the posterior triangle, 9, 8,

6, Plate 4, is placed the superficial subclavian artery, A, its

branches, L M, and the brachial plexus of nerves, I. Both these

triangles and their contents are completely sheathed by that thin

scarf-like muscle, named platysma myoides, A A, Plate 3, the fibres of

which traverse the neck slantingly in a line, O A, of diagonal direction

opposite to and secant of that of the sterno-mastoid muscle.



When the skin and subcutaneous adipose membrane are removed by careful

dissection from the cervical region, certain structures are exposed,

which, even in the undissected neck, projected on the superficies, and

are the unerring guides to the localities of the blood-vessels and

nerves, &c. In Plate 4, the top of the sternum, 6; the clavicle, 7; the

"Pomum Adami," 1; the lower maxilla at V; the hyoid bone, Z; the

sterno-cleido-mastoid muscle, B; and the clavicular portion of the

trapezius muscle, 8; will readily be felt or otherwise recognised

through the skin, &c. When these several points are well considered in

their relation to one another, they will correctly determine the

relative locality of those structures--the blood-vessels, nerves, &c.,

which mainly concern the surgical operation.



The middle point, between 7, the clavicle, and 6, the sternum, of Plate

4, is marked by a small triangular space occurring between the

clavicular and sternal divisions of the sterno-cleido-mastoid muscle.

This space marks the situation (very generally) of the bifurcation of

the innominate artery into the subclavian and common carotid arteries of

the right side; a penetrating instrument would, if passed into this

space at an inch depth, pierce first the root of the internal jugular

vein, and under it, but somewhat internal, the root of either of these

great arterial vessels, and would wound the right vagus nerve, as it

traverses this region. For some extent after the subclavian and carotid

vessels separate from their main common trunk, they lie concealed

beneath the sterno-mastoid muscle, B, Plate 4, and still deeper beneath

the sternal origins of the sterno-hyoid muscle, 5, and sterno-thyroid

muscle, some of whose fibres are traceable at the intervals. The

omo-hyoid muscle and the deep cervical fascia, as will be presently seen,

conceal these vessels also.



The subclavian artery, A, Plate 4, first appears superficial to the

above-named muscles of the cervical region just at the point where,

passing from behind the scalenus muscle, N, Plate 4, which also conceals

it, it sinks behind the clavicle. The exact locality of the artery in

this part of its course would be indicated by a finger's breadth

external to the clavicular attachment of the sterno-mastoid muscle. The

artery passes beneath the clavicle at the middle of this bone, a point

which is indicated in most subjects by that cellular interval occurring

between the clavicular origins of the deltoid and great pectoral

muscles.



The posterior cervical triangle, 9, 8, 7, Plate 4, in which the

subclavian artery is situated, is again subdivided by the muscle

omo-hyoid into two lesser regions, each of which assumes somewhat of a

triangular shape. The lower one of these embraces the vessel, A, and

those nerves of the brachial plexus, I, which are in contact with it.

The posterior belly of the omo-hyoid muscle, K, and the anterior

scalenus muscle, N, form the sides and apex of this lesser triangular

space, while the horizontal clavicle forms its base. This region of the

subclavian artery is well defined in the necks of most subjects,

especially when the muscles are put in action. In lean but muscular

bodies, it is possible to feel the projection of the anterior scalenus

muscle under the skin, external to the sterno-mastoid. The form of the

omo-hyoid is also to be distinguished in the like bodies. But in all

subjects may be readily recognised that hollow which occurs above the

clavicle, and between the trapezius, 8, and the sterno cleido-mastoid, 7

B, in the centre of which hollow the artery lies.



The contents of the larger posterior cervical triangle, formed by B, the

sterno-mastoid before; 9, the splenius; and 8, the trapezius behind,

and by the clavicle below, are the following mentioned structures--viz.,

A, the subclavian artery, in the third part of its course, as it emerges

from behind N, the scalenus anticus; L, the transversalis colli artery,

a branch of the thyroid axis, which will be found to cross the

subclavian vessel at this region; I, the brachial plexus of nerves,

which lie external to and above the vessel; H, the external jugular

vein, which sometimes, in conjunction with a plexus of veins coming from

behind the trapezius muscle, entirely conceals the artery; M, the

posterior scapular artery, a branch of the subclavian, given off from

the vessel after it has passed from behind the scalenus muscle; O,

numerous lymphatic glands; P, superficial descending branches of the

cervical plexus of nerves; and Q, ascending superficial branches of the

same plexus. All these structures, except some of the lymphatic glands,

are concealed by the platysma myoides A, as seen in Plate 3, and beneath

this by the cervical fascia, which latter shall be hereafter more

clearly represented.



In somewhat the same mode as the posterior half of the omo-hyoid

subdivides the larger posterior triangle into two of lesser dimensions,

the anterior half of the same muscle divides the anterior triangle into

two of smaller capacity.



The great anterior triangle, which is marked as that space inclosed

within the points, 6, the top of the sternum, the mental symphysis and

the angle of the maxilla; and whose sides are marked by the median line

of the neck before, the sterno-mastoid behind, and the ramus of the jaw

above, contains C, the common carotid artery, becoming superficial from

beneath the sterno-mastoid muscle, and dividing into E, the internal

carotid, and D, the external carotid. The anterior jugular vein, 3, also

occupies this region below; while some venous branches, which join the

external and internal jugular veins, traverse it in all directions, and

present obstacles to the operator from their meshy plexiform arrangement

yielding, when divided, a profuse haemorrhage.



The precise locality at which the common carotid appears from under the

sterno-mastoid muscle is, in almost all instances, opposite to the

thyroid cartilage. At this place, if an incision, dividing the skin,

platysma and some superficial branches of nerves, be made along the

anterior border of the sterno-mastoid muscle, and this latter be turned

a little aside, a process of cervical fascia, and beneath it the sheath

of the carotid artery, will successionally disclose themselves. In many

bodies, however, some degree of careful search requires to be made prior

to the full exposure of the vessel in its sheath, in consequence of a

considerable quantity of adipose tissue, some lymphatic glands, and many

small veins lying in the immediate vicinity of the carotid artery and

internal jugular vein. This latter vessel, though usually lying

completely concealed by the sterno-mastoid muscle, is frequently to be

seen projecting from under its fore part. In emaciated bodies, where the

sterno-mastoid presents wasted proportions, it will, in consequence,

leave both the main blood-vessels uncovered at this locality in the

neck.



The common carotid artery ascends the cervical region almost

perpendicularly from opposite the sterno-clavicular articulation to the

greater cornu of the os hyoides. For the greater part of this extent it

is covered by the sterno-mastoid muscle; but as this latter takes an

oblique course backwards to its insertion into the mastoid process,

while the main blood-vessel dividing into branches still ascends in its

original direction, so is it that the artery becomes uncovered by the

muscle. Even the root of the internal carotid, E, may be readily reached

at this place, where it lies on the same plane as the external carotid,

but concealed in great part by the internal jugular vein. It would be

possible, while relaxing the sterno-mastoid muscle, to compress either

the common carotid artery or its main branches against the cervical

vertebral column, if pressure were made in a direction backwards and

inwards. The facial artery V, which springs from the external carotid,

D, may be compressed against the horizontal ramus of the lower jaw-bone

at the anterior border of the masseter muscle. The temporal artery, as

it ascends over the root of the zygoma, may be compressed effectually

against this bony point.



The external jugular vein, H, Plate 4, as it descends the neck from the

angle of the jaw obliquely backwards over the sterno-mastoid muscle, may

be easily compressed and opened in any part of its course. This vein

courses downwards upon the neck in relation to that branch of the

superficial cervical plexus, named auricularis magnus nerve, Q, Plate 4,

G, Plate 3. The nerve is generally situated behind the vein, to which it

lies sometimes in close proximity, and is liable, therefore, to be

accidentally injured in the performance of phlebotomy upon the external

jugular vein. The coats of the external jugular vein, E, Plate 3, are

said to hold connexion with some of the fibres of the platysma-myoides

muscle, A A, Plate 3, and that therefore, if the vessel be divided

transversely, the two orifices will remain patent for a time.



The position of the carotid artery protects the vessel, in some degree,

against the suicidal act, as generally attempted. The depth of the

incision necessary to reach the main blood-vessels from the fore part of

the neck is so considerable that the wound seldom effects more than the

opening of some part of the larynx. The ossified condition of the

thyroid and cricoid parts of the laryngeal apparatus affords a

protection to the vessels. The more oblique the incision happens to be,

the greater probability is there that the wound is comparatively

superficial, owing to the circumstance of the instrument having

encountered one or more parts of the hyo-laryngeal range; but woeful

chance sometimes directs the weapon horizontally through that membranous

interval between the thyroid and hyoid pieces, in which case, as also in

that where the laryngeal pieces persist permanently cartilaginous, the

resistance to the cutting instrument is much less.



The anatomical position of the parotid, H, Plate 3, and submaxillary

glands, W, Plate 4, is so important, that their extirpation, while in a

state of disease, will almost unavoidably concern other principal

structures. Whether the diseased parotid gland itself or a lymphatic

body lying in connexion with it, be the subject of operation, it seldom

happens that the temporo-maxillary branch of the external carotid, F,

escapes the knife. But an accident, much more liable to occur, and one

which produces a great inconvenience afterwards to the subject, is that

of dividing the portio-dura nerve, S, Plate 4, at its exit from the

stylo-mastoid foramen, the consequence being that almost all the muscles

of facial expression become paralyzed. The masseter, L, Plate 3,

pterygoid, buccinator, 15, Plate 4, and the facial fibres of the

platysma muscles, A O, Plate 3, still, however, preserve their power, as

these structures are innervated from a different source. The orbicularis

oculi muscle, which is principally supplied by the portio-dura nerve, is

paralyzed, though it still retains a partial power of contraction, owing

to the anatomical fact that some terminal twigs of the third or motor

pair of nerves of the orbit branch into this muscle.



The facial artery, V, and the facial vein, U, Plate 4, are in close

connexion with the submaxillary gland. Oftentimes they traverse the

substance of it. The lingual nerve and artery lie in some part of their

course immediately beneath the gland. The former two are generally

divided when the gland is excised; the latter two are liable to be

wounded in the same operation.





DESCRIPTION OF PLATES 3 & 4.



PLATE 3.



A A A. Subcutaneous platysma myoides muscle, lying on the face, neck,

and upper part of chest, and covering the structures contained

in the two surgical triangles of the neck.



B. Lip of the thyroid cartilage.



C. Clavicular attachment of the trapezius muscle.



D. Some lymphatic bodies of the post triangle.



E. External jugular vein.



F. Occipital artery, close to which are seen some branches of the

occipitalis minor nerve of the cervical plexus.



G. Auricularis magnus nerve of the superficial cervical plexus.



H. Parotid gland.



I. Temporal artery, with its accompanying vein.



K. Zygoma.



L. Masseter muscle, crossed by the parotid duct, and some fibres of

platysma.



M. Facial vein.



N. Buccinator muscle.



O. Facial artery seen through fibres of platysma.



P. Mastoid half of sterno-mastoid muscle.



Q. Locality beneath which the commencements of the subclavian and

carotid arteries lie.



R. Locality of the subclavian artery in the third part of its course.



S. Locality of the common carotid artery at its division into internal

and external carotids.














PLATE 4.



A. Subclavian artery passing beneath the clavicle, where it is crossed

by some blood-vessels and nerves.



B. Sternal attachment of the sterno-mastoid muscle, marking the

situation of the root of common carotid.



C. Common carotid at its point of division, uncovered by sterno-mastoid.



D. External carotid artery branching into lingual, facial, temporal,

and occipital arteries.



E. Internal carotid artery.



F. Temporo-maxillary branch of external carotid artery.



G. Temporal artery and temporal vein, with some ascending temporal

branches of portio-dura nerve.



H. External jugular vein descending from the angle of the jaw, where it

is formed by the union of temporal and maxillary veins.



I. Brachial plexus of nerves in connexion with A, the subclavian

artery.



K. Posterior half of the omo-hyoid muscle.



L. Transversalis colli artery.



M. Posterior scapular artery.



N. Scalenus anticus muscle.



O. Lymphatic bodies of the posterior triangle of neck.



P. Superficial descending branches of the cervical plexus of nerves.



Q. Auricularis magnus nerve ascending to join the portio-dura.



R. Occipital artery, accompanied by its nerve, and also by some

branches of the occipitalis minor nerve, a branch of cervical plexus.



S. Portio-dura, or motor division of seventh pair of cerebral nerves.



T. Parotid duct.



U. Facial vein.



V. Facial artery.



W. Submaxillary gland.



X. Digastric muscle.



Y. Lymphatic body.



Z. Hyoid bone.



1. Thyroid cartilage.



2. Superior thyroid artery.



3. Anterior jugular vein.



4. Hyoid half of omo-hyoid muscle.



5. Sterno-hyoid muscle.



6. Top of the sternum.



7. Clavicle.



8. Trapezius muscle.



9. Splenius capitis and colli muscle.



10. Occipital half of occipito-frontalis muscle.



11. Levator auris muscle.



12. Frontal half of occipito-frontalis muscle.



13. Orbicularis oculi muscle.



14. Zygomaticus major muscle.



15. Buccinator muscle.



16. Depressor anguli oris muscle.