Assessing the Neck

Sternocleidomastoid

Muscle that divide each side of the neck into two triangles, posterior and anterior.

supraclavicular

above the clavicle, in the angle between the clavicle and the sternocleidomastoid muscle. Drains the lateral regions of he neck and lungs.

posterior cervical

along the anterior aspect of the trapezius muscle. the posterior and lateral regions of the neck, occiput and mastoid.

submental

behind the tip of mandible in the midline, under the chin. Drain the anterior third of the tongue, gums and floor of the mouth.

anterior triangle

consists of the trachea, thyroid gland, anterior cervical nodes and carotid artery

trapezius

determines the function of this muscle when you move the head so that the chin points up and the head hyperextends 60 degrees.

sternocleidomastoid

determines the function of this muscle when you move the head so that the hear is moved toward the shoulder on each side and the head laterally flexes 40 degrees.

sternocleidomastoid

determines the function of this muscle when you turn the head to the right and left and it rotates laterally 70 degrees.

trapezius

determines the strength of this muscle by asking the client to shrug their shoulders against the resistance of your hands.

sternocleidomastoid

determines the strength of this muscle by having the client turn the head to one side against the resistance of your hand, and repeat with other side.

preauricular

in front of the triages of the ear. Drain forehead and upper face.

Submandibular

lymph nodes along the medial border of the mandible, half-way between the angle of the jaw and the chin. Drain the chin, upper lip, cheek, nose, teeth, eyelids, part of the tongue and floor of the mouth.

occipital

lymph nodes at the posterior base of skull. Drain occipital region of the scalp and deep structures in back of neck

postauricular

lymph nodes behind ear auricle or in front of mastoid process. Drain parietal region of the head and part of the ear.

chains

lymph nodes in the neck that collect lymph from the head an neck structures and are grouped serially.

posterior triangle

posterior lymph nodes

superficial anterior cervical

tonsillar. along the mandible, anterior to the sternocleidomastoid muscle. drain the skin and neck.

deep cervical

under the sternocleidomastoid muscle. Drains the larynx, thyroid gland, trachea and upper part of esophagus

submental and submandibular

when palpating for these nodes, place finders under mandible and pull skin laterally over the mandibular surface.

deep cervical

when palpating these nodes, bend and hook your fingers around the sternocleidomastoid muscle

supraclavicular

when palpating these nodes, have client bend head forward to release muscles and allow clavicles to drop.

anterior and posterior cervical

when palpating these nodes, move fingers slowly in a forward circular motion against the sternocleidomastoid and trapezius muscles.

thyroid gland

when palpating this stand in front of client and observe the lower half of the neck looking for symmetry and masses. Can have client swallow water while tilted forward to check that it moves when swallowing.

trachea

when palpating this, put fingertip or thumb on the suprasternal notch and move finger laterally to the left and right in spaces border by the clavicle, the anterior aspect of the sternocleidomastoid muscle and the trachea. Deviation suggest tumors, or thyroid or lymph enlargements.