Anatomy, MBBS Second Year. This chapter is split into 4 topics and has
148 practice questions. The topics covered are listed below, followed by
10 free sample questions from the chapter.
Fascial spaces of the neck and clinical anatomy of the cervical fascia20 questions
Sample questions: HN 10. Deep cervical fascia
10 sample questions with the correct answer and an explanation. Try to answer each one before reading the explanation.
Q1. Which comparison of the investing layer's derivatives is correct?
A. It forms the pharyngobasilar fascia
B. It forms the capsules of the parotid and submandibular glands and the stylomandibular ligament(correct answer)
C. It forms the capsule of the thyroid gland
D. It forms the axillary sheath
Answer: B.The investing layer forms the parotid capsule, the submandibular capsule and the stylomandibular ligament (plus the roof of the triangles); the thyroid capsule is formed by the pretracheal layer and the axillary sheath by the prevertebral layer.
Q2. Which statement about the investing layer is correct?
A. It contains the internal jugular vein
B. It forms the floor of the posterior triangle
C. It surrounds the trachea and the thyroid
D. It surrounds the neck, encloses the sternomastoid and trapezius, forms the roof of both triangles and gives the capsules of the parotid and submandibular glands plus the stylomandibular ligament(correct answer)
Answer: D.The investing layer surrounds the neck, splits to enclose the sternomastoid and trapezius, forms the roof of the anterior and posterior triangles, and encloses the parotid and submandibular glands (forming the stylomandibular ligament between them).
Q3. Which statement summarises the investing layer?
A. It encloses the trachea and thyroid
B. It is the outermost deep cervical fascial layer, surrounding the neck, enclosing sternomastoid/trapezius and the two salivary glands, forming the roof of both triangles and the stylomandibular ligament(correct answer)
C. It forms the carotid sheath
D. It is the innermost layer enclosing the vertebrae
Answer: B.The investing layer is the outermost deep cervical fascial layer; it surrounds the neck, splits around the sternomastoid, trapezius, parotid and submandibular glands, forms the roof of the anterior and posterior triangles and the stylomandibular ligament.
Q4. Which comparison of the pretracheal and prevertebral layers is correct?
A. Both layers form the carotid sheath
B. The pretracheal layer forms the axillary sheath
C. The prevertebral layer forms the thyroid capsule
D. The pretracheal layer surrounds the trachea, thyroid and infrahyoid muscles and continues as the fibrous pericardium, while the prevertebral layer forms the floor of the posterior triangle and the axillary sheath(correct answer)
Answer: D.Pretracheal: covers the trachea, forms the thyroid capsule, surrounds the infrahyoid muscles and continues as the fibrous pericardium. Prevertebral: covers prevertebral muscles, forms the floor of the posterior triangle and the axillary sheath.
Q5. Which statement about the pharyngeal fascia is correct?
A. It is a single layer covering the trachea
B. It forms the floor of the posterior triangle
C. It forms the capsule of the thyroid
D. It has two parts: the buccopharyngeal fascia (covering the buccinator and pharyngeal muscles, pierced by the parotid duct) and the pharyngobasilar fascia (between the pharyngeal mucous membrane and muscles)(correct answer)
Answer: D.The pharyngeal fascia has two parts: the buccopharyngeal fascia (covers buccinator and pharyngeal muscles; pierced by the parotid duct) and the pharyngobasilar fascia (lies between the pharyngeal mucous membrane and muscles).
Q6. Which comparison of the buccopharyngeal and pharyngobasilar fasciae is correct?
A. The buccopharyngeal fascia lies between the mucous membrane and muscles
B. Both fasciae are pierced by the parotid duct
C. The buccopharyngeal fascia covers the buccinator and pharyngeal muscles and is pierced by the parotid duct, while the pharyngobasilar fascia lies between the pharyngeal mucous membrane and muscles(correct answer)
D. The pharyngobasilar fascia is pierced by the parotid duct
Answer: C.Buccopharyngeal fascia: covers the buccinator and pharyngeal muscles; pierced by the parotid duct. Pharyngobasilar fascia: lies within the pharyngeal wall between the mucous membrane and the muscles.
Q7. Which structures are contained in the carotid sheath?
A. The external jugular vein and the external carotid artery
B. The sympathetic chain and the ansa cervicalis
C. The thoracic duct and the phrenic nerve
D. The internal jugular vein (lateral), the common/internal carotid arteries (medial) and the last 4 cranial nerves (middle)(correct answer)
Answer: D.The carotid sheath contains the internal jugular vein (lateral), the common carotid artery in the lower part / internal carotid artery in the upper part (medial), and the last 4 cranial nerves (middle).
Q8. Which statement about the carotid sheath is correct?
A. It extends from the base of the skull to the arch of the aorta and contains the IJV laterally, the CCA (lower)/ICA (upper) medially and the last 4 cranial nerves in the middle(correct answer)
B. It contains the sympathetic chain within it
C. It extends from the mandible to the clavicle
D. It contains the external jugular vein
Answer: A.The carotid sheath extends from the base of the skull to the arch of the aorta, containing the internal jugular vein laterally, the common carotid (lower) or internal carotid (upper) artery medially, and the last 4 cranial nerves in the middle; the ansa cervicalis is anterior and the sympathetic chain posterior.
Q9. Which comparison of the fascial layers and their products is correct?
A. Investing — thyroid capsule; pretracheal — parotid capsule
B. Pretracheal — axillary sheath
C. Investing — parotid/submandibular capsules and stylomandibular ligament; pretracheal — thyroid capsule and fibrous pericardium; prevertebral — axillary sheath and floor of the posterior triangle(correct answer)
D. Prevertebral — parotid capsule
Answer: C.Investing layer → parotid and submandibular capsules and the stylomandibular ligament (plus the roof of the triangles); pretracheal fascia → thyroid capsule, infrahyoid muscle covering and the fibrous pericardium; prevertebral fascia → floor of the posterior triangle and axillary sheath.
Q10. Which statement about the pharyngobasilar fascia is correct?
A. It is pierced by the parotid duct
B. It forms the axillary sheath
C. It covers the buccinator
D. It lies in the wall of the pharynx between the mucous membrane and the muscles of the pharynx(correct answer)
Answer: D.The pharyngobasilar fascia lies between the mucous membrane and the muscles of the pharynx (whereas the buccopharyngeal fascia covers the buccinator and pharyngeal muscles and is pierced by the parotid duct).