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Surgical Anatomy of the Neck

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Lateral Neck Swellings

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Abstract

This chapter describes, in a broad yet systematic manner, the relevant surgical anatomy (arrangement) of the viscera, muscles, nerves, and major blood vessels in the neck. It defines the anatomical relationships of these structures with each other and with the various fascial layers of the neck. It also defines the boundaries, contents, and clinical significance of the different anatomical triangles of the neck. Mastery of such anatomical details is an essential requisite for safety and precision during all neck operations, thereby minimizing damage to the many structures contained in such a small area. From a surgical perspective, the neck is usually divided into two triangles—the “anterior triangle” (consisting of three-and-a-half triangles) and the posterior triangle (consisting of two triangles). The sternocleidomastoid (SCM) muscle is the key to understanding both of these triangles. The neck also contains triangles such as the suboccipital triangle in its posterior aspect, the triangle of the vertebral artery and the scalene triangle in its deep layer, and Lesser’s, Pirogov’s, Béclard’s, and Farabeuf’s triangles. These anatomical triangles contain nerves, vessels, and other anatomical structures.

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  1. Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Alexandria University, Alexandria, Egypt

    Mahmoud Sakr

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Sakr, M. (2023). Surgical Anatomy of the Neck. In: Lateral Neck Swellings. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-32118-4_1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-32118-4_1

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