Surgical Anatomy Part 8

K. Posterior belly of omo-hyoid muscle, cut.

L. Median nerve branch of brachial plexus.

M. Musculo-spiral branch of same plexus.

N. Anterior scalenus muscle.

O. Cervical plexus giving off the phrenic nerve, which takes tributary branches from brachial plexus of nerves.

P. Upper part of internal jugular vein.

Q. Upper part of internal carotid artery.

R. Superior cervical ganglion of sympathetic nerve.

S. Vagus nerve lying external to sympathetic nerve, and giving off t its laryngeal branch.

T. Superior thyroid artery.

U. Lingual artery separated by hyo-glossus muscle from

V. Lingual or ninth cerebral nerve.

W. Sublingual salivary gland.

X. Genio-hyoid muscle.

Y. Mylo-hyoid muscle, cut and turned aside.

Z. Thyroid cartilage.

1. Upper part of sterno-hyoid muscle.

2. Upper part of omo-hyoid muscle.

3. Inferior constrictor of pharynx.

4. Cricoid cartilage.

5. Crico-thyroid muscle.

6. Thyroid body.

7. Inferior thyroid artery of thyroid axis.

8. Sternal tendon of sterno-mastoid muscle, turned down.

9. Clavicular portion of sterno-mastoid muscle, turned down.

10. Clavicle.

11. Trapezius muscle.

12. Scalenus posticus muscle.

13. Rectus capitis anticus major muscle.

14. Stylo-hyoid muscle, turned aside.

15. Temporal artery.

16. Internal maxillary artery.

17. Inferior dental branch of fifth pair of cerebral nerves.

18. Gustatory branch of fifth pair of nerves.

19. External pterygoid muscle.

20. Internal pterygoid muscle.

21. Temporal muscle cut to show the deep temporal branches of fifth pair of nerves.

22. Zygomatic arch.

23. Buccinator muscle, with buccal nerve and parotid duct.

24. Ma.s.seter muscle cut on the lower maxilla.

25. Middle constrictor of pharynx.

[Ill.u.s.tration: Right side of the head and neck, showing blood vessels, muscles and other internal organs.]

Plate 6

COMMENTARY ON PLATES 7 & 8.

THE SURGICAL DISSECTION OF THE SUBCLAVIAN AND CAROTID REGIONS, THE RELATIVE ANATOMY OF THEIR CONTENTS.

A perfect knowledge of the relative anatomy of any of the surgical regions of the body must include an acquaintance with the superposition of parts contained in each region, as well as the plane relationship of organs which hold the same level in each layer or anatomical stratum.

The dissections in Plates 7 and 8 exhibit both these modes of relation.

A portion of each of those superficial layers, which it was necessary to divide, in order to expose a deeper organ, has been left holding its natural level. Thus the order of superposition taken by the integument, the fasciae, the muscles, bones, veins, nerves, and arteries, which occupy both the surgical triangles of the neck, will be readily recognised in the opposite Plates.

The depth of a bloodvessel or other organ from surface will vary for many reasons, even though the same parts in the natural order of superposition shall overlie the whole length of the vessel or organ which we make search for. The princ.i.p.al of those reasons are:--1st, that the stratified organs themselves vary in thickness at several places; 2d, that the organ or vessel which we seek will itself incline to surface from deeper levels occupied elsewhere; 3d, that the normal undulations of surface will vary the depth of the particular vessels, &c.; and 4th, that the natural mobility of the superimposed parts will allow them to change place in some measure, and consequently influence the relative position of the object of search. On this account it is that the surgical anatomist chooses to give a fixed position to the subject about to be operated on, in order to reduce the number of these difficulties as much as possible.

In Plate 7 will be seen the surgical relationship of parts lying in the vicinity of the common carotid artery, at the point of its bifurcation into external and internal carotids. At this locality, the vessel will be found, in general, subjacent to the following mentioned structures, numbered from the superficies to its own level--viz., the common integument and subcutaneous adipose membrane, which will vary in thickness in several individuals; next, the platysma myoides muscle, F L, which is identified with the superficial fascia, investing the outer surface of the sterno-mastoid muscle; next, the deeper layer of the same fascia, R S., which pa.s.ses beneath the sterno-mastoid muscle, but over the sheath of the vessels; and next, the sheath of the vessels, Q, which invests them and isolates them from adjacent structures. Though the vessel lies deeper than the level of the sterno-mastoid muscle at this locality, yet it is not covered by the muscle in the same manner, as it is lower down in the neck. At this place, therefore, though the actual depth of the artery from surface will be the same, whether it be covered or uncovered by the sterno-mastoid muscle, still we know that the locality of the vessel relative to the parts actually superimposed will vary accordingly. This observation will apply to the situation and relative position of all the other vessels as well. Other occurrences will vary the relations of the artery in regard to superjacent structures, though the actual depth of the vessel from surface may be the same. If the internal jugular vein covers the carotid artery, as it sometimes does, or if a plexus of veins, gathering from the fore-part of the neck or face, overlie the vessel, or if a chain of lymphatic bodies be arranged upon it, as is frequently the case, the knowledge of such occurrences will guard the judgment against being led into error by the conventionalities of the descriptive method of anatomists. The normal relative anatomy of the bloodvessels is taken by anatomists to be the more frequent disposition of their main trunks and branches, considered per se, and in connexion with neighbouring parts. But it will be seen by this avowal that those vessels are liable to many various conditions; and such is the case, in fact. No anatomist can p.r.o.nounce with exactness the precise figure of vessels or other organs while they lie concealed beneath the surface. An approach to truth is all that the best experience can boast of. The form and relations of the carotid vessels of Plate 7 may or may not be the same as those concealed beneath the same region of Plate 8, at the point R.