Posterior triangle of the neck

Infobox Anatomy
Name = PAGENAME
Latin = regio cervicalis lateralis, trigonum cervicale posterius
GraySubject = 145
GrayPage = 563


Caption = The triangles of the neck. Posterior triangle labeled in purple. Sternocleidomastoideus runs vertically. Occipital triangle labeled at right, and subclavian triangle labeled at bottom.)

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Caption2 = Side of neck, showing chief surface markings. (Nerves are yellow, arteries are red.)
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DorlandsPre = r_07
DorlandsSuf = 12700361
The posterior triangle (or lateral cervical region) is a region of the neck.

Boundaries

It has the following boundaries:

Occipital and subclavian triangles

The posterior triangle is crossed, about 2.5 cm above the clavicle, by the inferior belly of the Omohyoideus, which divides the space into two triangles:

* an upper or occipital triangle
* a lower or subclavian triangle (or supraclavicular triangle)

Contents

A) Nerves and Plexuses:
* Spinal accessory nerve (Cranial Nerve XI)
* Branches of cervical plexus
* Roots and trunks of brachial plexus

B) Vessels:
* Subclavian artery (Third part)
* Transverse cervical artery
* Suprascapular artery
* Terminal part of external jugular vein

C) Lymph Nodes:
* Occipital
* Supraclavicular

D) Muscles:
* Inferior belly of omohyoid muscle

Clinical significance

It is particularly vulnerable to damage at lymph node biopsy, where damage results in an inability to shrug the shoulders or raise the arm above the head (eg, for brushing hair)

ee also

*Anterior triangle of the neck

External links

* (NormanAnatomyFig|necktriangle)
*
* - "Identification of the muscles associated with the posterolateral triangle."
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