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The Neck
The neck is composed of several structures. All these structures perform numerous functions such as voice development and airway passage. There are also major blood vessels we mustcover.
Pharynx
To start things off, we will start in the nose and mouth area. Both the nasal cavity and oral cavity lead to a structure called the pharynx. The air breathed through the nose goes into the nasopharynx or the portion of the pharynx directly posterior to the nasal cavity. Food and air breathed through the mouth goes into the oropharynx or the portion of the pharynx located directly posterior to the oral cavity. Once air enters the pharynx, it enters the larynx which
ultimately leads to the lungs (think Larynx leads to Lungs). When food is swallowed, a structure called the epiglottis closes the entrance into the larynx and food has no choice but to go down the esophagus. The epiglottis is in the third and lowest part of the pharynx called the laryngeal pharynx.
To sum up, the pharynx is separated into three parts: the nasopharynx, the oropharynx, and the laryngeal pharynx. Both food and air can enter this area. However, only air can enter the larynx thanks to the epiglottis. Food goes down the esophagus. If food does enter the larynx, a person experiences choking.
Cartilages
To the right is a very general layout of
the various cartilages and landmarks in
the neck. Please take a look. Also note
the location of the thyroid cartilage on
the image above.
At roughly the level of C4, you see the
thyroid cartilage. The thyroid cartilage
protects the voicebox, a group of
structures that produce sound. Directly
below the thyroid cartilage is the cricoid
cartilage. The cricoid cartilage also
assists with providing structural support
and protection to the voice box and
associated structures.
Below the cricoid is where the trachea
begins. The trachea is a long structure
that ends at roughly the T4 level where
it becomes the Right and Left Bronchi.
Below is are zoomed in images that
focuses on the hyoid bone, the thyroid
cartilage, cricoid cartilage, and trachea.
Please take a look at the images to
familiarize yourself with their general
locations relative to each other and their
sizes.
Thyroid Gland
The thyroid gland is a U-shaped gland that lies anterior to the cricoid cartilage and trachea. Do not confuse this with the thyroid cartilage! The thyroid gland has two lobes, the right and left lobes, connected via a bridge-like structure called the isthmus. The thyroid gland is responsible for hormone release that regulates and affects several important functions in the body. Locate the thyroid gland in the image below.
Arteries and Veins
There are several major arteries and vein running through the neck providing blood to the brain and draining blood from the brain. The common carotid arteries bifurcate into the internal and external carotids in the neck. They are located immediately lateral to the trachea and thyroid gland. Lateral to the arteries are the veins. In the image below, you can see the internal and external jugular veins descending from the brain and scalp and connecting to the right and left subclavian veins to form the right and left brachiocephalic veins. Both brachiocephalic veins drain into the superior vena cava which empties into the right atria of the heart.