Head and Neck Anatomy Flashcards

The submandibular triangle contains the submandibular gland and which major nerve?

Answer: Lingual nerve and facial artery

The submandibular (digastric) triangle contains the submandibular gland, facial artery and vein, and the lingual nerve, which passes around Wharton's duct.

Which bony landmark of the skull is the attachment site for the masseter muscle?

Answer: Zygomatic arch and lateral surface of the ramus and coronoid process of the mandible

The masseter originates from the zygomatic arch and inserts on the lateral surface of the ramus and angle of the mandible, with some fibers extending to the coronoid process.

The chorda tympani nerve carries which functional components?

Answer: Special sensory taste from the anterior two-thirds of the tongue AND preganglionic parasympathetic secretomotor fibers to the submandibular and sublingual glands

The chorda tympani (branch of CN VII) carries SVA (special visceral afferent — taste) from the anterior 2/3 of the tongue and GVE (preganglionic parasympathetic) to the submandibular ganglion for secretomotor control of submandibular and sublingual glands.

The pterygomandibular space is the target for which common local anesthetic block?

Answer: Inferior alveolar nerve block (IANB)

The inferior alveolar nerve block deposits anesthetic into the pterygomandibular space to anesthetize the inferior alveolar nerve before it enters the mandibular foramen.

The Waldeyer's ring consists of which lymphoid tissues?

Answer: Palatine tonsils, pharyngeal tonsil (adenoid), lingual tonsil, and tubal tonsils

Waldeyer's tonsillar ring is a circular arrangement of lymphoid tissue at the pharyngeal entrance: palatine tonsils (laterally), pharyngeal tonsil/adenoid (posterosuperiorly), lingual tonsil (posteroinferiorly), and tubal tonsils (near Eustachian tube openings).

Which artery is the primary blood supply to the mandibular teeth and bone?

Answer: Inferior alveolar artery (branch of maxillary artery)

The inferior alveolar artery, a branch of the maxillary artery (from the external carotid), enters the mandibular foramen to supply the mandibular teeth, bone, and periodontium.