Head and Neck Embryology and Anatomy

Summary

In the first section of this chapter, a brief account of the embryogenesis of the human head and neck is presented. The discussions are focused on the formation of the branchial apparatus and their derivatives and development of the tongue, thyroid gland, palate, and face. In the second section, a concise survey of the anatomy of the head and neck is provided with an attempt to simplify the description of this complex anatomical region. The region is discussed under two subsections, the “Hard Tissue Framework” and the “Soft Tissue Envelope” to describe the skeletal anatomy and the connective tissues, nerves, and vascular anatomy of the region. Some important clinical considerations in plastic and reconstructive surgery are highlighted.

The head and neck region is perhaps the most complicated anatomical region of the human body because of its complex and delicate anatomical architecture. It also has sig-nificant impact on the mental, social, and emotional disposition and overall self-image of the individual. It is probably the region of the body for which reconstructive surgery is most required. A plastic surgeon may be confronted with significant congenital defects in the head and neck region or reconstruction of complex traumatic facial problems. For this, it is essential that he/she has adequate knowledge of the regional anatomy and embryology. No matter how artistically it is designed and sculpted, surgery based on insufficient knowledge will ultimately result in a poor aesthetic result and a patient who is anatomically as well as functionally compromised.