Dissection of head and neck from a posterior approach
Hypoglossal, accessory and vagus nerves; anterior rami of cervical nerves; internal carotid artery; internal jugular vein
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Image #81-1
Dissection of head and neck from a posterior approach
Hypoglossal, accessory and vagus nerves; anterior rami of cervical nerves; internal carotid artery; internal jugular vein
The bodies of the first five cervical vertebrae have been sectioned in the midsagittal plane and the left halves removed. The cervical nerves have been retained approximately in their normal positions with the exception of the first nerve (16), which has been displaced superiorly. The anterior vertebral venous plexus (18) and longus colli and capitis muscles have been preserved.
- Jugular ganglion of vagus nerve (X)
- Accessory nerve (XI)
- Branches of cervical nerve I-Il to longus capitis muscle and anterior rectus capitis muscle
- Occipital artery
- Hypoglossal nerve (XII)
- Posterior belly of digastric muscle
- Nodose ganglion vagus nerve (X)
- Internal jugular vein
- Internal carotid artery
- Descending branch hypoglossal nerve
- Upper pointer: Lesser occipital nerve Lower pointer: Unnamed cutaneous nerve
- Superficial fascia (deep lamina of external layer)
- Accessory nerve (XI) (note communicating branches from second and third cervical nerves)
- Supraclavicular nerves
- Levator scapulae muscle (cut across)
- Anterior branch of cervical nerve I
- Ganglion cervical nerve II (cut across)
- Upper pointer: Anterior rectus capitis muscle Lower pointer: Anterior vertebral venous plexus
- Ganglion cervical nerve III
- Upper pointer: Intervertebral disc Lower pointer: Body cervical vertebra III
- Ganglion cervical nerve IV
- Ganglion cervical nerve V (displaced slightly inferiorly)
- Articular surface superior cervical vertebra VI
- Spinal cord