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The anterior triangle of the neck is an anatomical division created by the muscles of
the head and neck. It is used clinically to locate structures that pass through the
neck. In this article, we shall look at the regional anatomy of the anterior triangle
and its subdivisions.
It is important to note that all triangles mentioned here are paired they will
appear on the left and the right side of the neck.
Fig 1.0 Anterior and posterior triangles of the neck. Note the overlying platysma
muscle has been removed
It is bounded:
It can be subdivided into 4 further triangles, which we will look at later on.
The anterior triangle of the neck contains muscles, nerves, arteries, veins and
lymph nodes.
The muscles in this part of the neck are divided as to where they lie in relation to
the hyoid bone. There are four suprahyoid muscles (stylohyoid, digastric,
mylohyoid, and geniohyoid) and fourinfrahyoid muscles (omohyoid, sternohyoid,
thyrohyoid, and sternothyroid)
With respect to the vasculature, the common carotid artery passes through the
anterior triangle, andbifurcates within the triangle into the external and internal
carotid arteries. The internal jugular vein also can be found within this area. It
drains blood from the head and neck.
Numerous cranial nerves are located in the anterior triangle. Some pass straight
through, and others give off branches to innervate some of the other structures
within the triangle. The cranial nerves in the anterior triangle are the facial [VII],
glossopharyngeal [IX], vagus [X],accessory [XI], and hypoglossal [XII] nerves.
Carotid triangle
The carotid triangle of the neck has the following boundaries:
The main contents of the carotid triangle are the common carotid artery (which
bifurcates within the carotid triangle into the external and internal carotid arteries),
the internal jugular vein, and thehypoglossal and vagus nerves.
Fig 1.1 Carotid triangle of the neck
The carotid triangle also contains the carotid sinus - a dilated portion of the
common carotid and internal carotid arteries. It contains specific sensory cells,
called baroreceptors. The baroreceptors detect stretch as a measure of blood
pressure. The glossopharyngeal nerve feeds this information to the brain, and
this is used to regulate blood pressure.
Submental Triangle
The submental triangle in the neck is situated underneath the chin. Its main
content is the submentallymph nodes, which filter lymph draining from the floor of
the mouth and parts of the tongue.
It is bounded:
The base of the submental triangle is formed by the mylohyoid muscle, which
runs from the manible to the hyoid bone.
Submandibular Triangle
Fig 1.3 Lateral view of the neck, showing the submandibular triangle
Muscular Triangle
This anatomical area is situated more inferior than the triangular sub-divisions. It is
a slightly dubious triangle, in reality having four boundaries. The muscular triangle
is also unique in containing no vessels of note. It does however contain some
muscles the infrahyoid muscles, the pharynx, and thethyroid, parathyroid
glands.
Fig 1.4 Anterior view of the neck, showing the muscular triangle.