HEAD AND NECK 2: INFRATEMPORAL FOSSA

The infratemporal fossa is the space between the skull base, lateral pharyngeal wall,
and the ramus of the mandible.

Objectives:
1. Identify the infratemporal fossa and its borders.
2. Identify the structures within the infratemporal fossa.

Questions:
1. What are the boundaries of the infratemporal fossa?
2. What are the contents of the infratemporal fossa?
3. Illustrate the infratemporal fossa and label properly all the muscles, nerves, arteries, and
veins seen in this area.
4. What is the temporomandibular joint?
5. What is the action/s possible with the temporomandibular joint?

HEAD AND NECK 3: CERVICAL VISCERA

One of the important structures in the neck with an endocrine function is the thyroid gland. It
is located in the anterior triangle of the neck. It is imperative to know the thyroid gland for
many other structures in the neck is closely related to this organ.

Objectives:
1. Identify the thyroid gland and know its location.
2. Identify the arterial supply, venous drainage, and nerve supply of the organ.
3. Identify the structures closely related to this organ from superficial to deep.

Questions:
1. Illustrate the thyroid gland. Label its parts.
 2. What is the arterial supply of the thyroid gland? From which artery do each originate?
Which part of the gland does each supply? Illustrate.

Supplies the
Anterosuperior
aspect of Thyroid
Gland

Supplies the posteroinferior

aspect, including the
inferior poles of the gland.
Supplies the Isthmus of
thyroid gland.

3. What is the venous drainage of the thyroid gland?

The venous drainage of the thyroid gland are Superior thyroid vein, Middle thyroid vein and
the Inferior thyroid vein.
4. What does the thyroid gland do? What does it produce?

Thyroid gland functions:

-Regulate the rate at which calories are burned, affecting weight loss or weight gain.
-Can slow down or speed up the heartbeat.
-Can raise or lower body temperature.
-Influence the rate at which food moves through the digestive tract.
-Control the way muscles contract.
-Control the rate at which dying cells are replaced.

The thyroid gland produces two thyroid hormones, triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroxine
(T4), and releases them as needed by the body.

*The hypothalamus and the pituitary gland help control the thyroid gland. The hypothalamus
produces thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH), which stimulates the pituitary gland to release
thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH). A low level of T3 tells the hypothalamus to release more
TRH, and it tells the pituitary to release more TSH. The thyroid gland releases T3 and T4 until
the body is receiving the required amount.
5. What small glands are closely associated with the thyroid gland? What do they do? Where
can they be seen?

Parathyroid glands are four small glands of the endocrine system which regulate the calcium in
our bodies. Parathyroid glands are located in the neck behind the thyroid where they
continuously monitor and regulate blood calcium levels. Normal parathyroid glands are the
color of spicy yellow mustard.
Parathyroid glands control the calcium levels in our
blood, in our bones, and throughout our body.
Parathyroid glands regulate the calcium by producing a
hormone called Parathyroid Hormone (PTH). Calcium
is the most important element in our bodies (we use it to
control many organ systems), so calcium is regulated
more carefully than any other element. In fact, calcium
is the only element with it's own regulatory system -- the
parathyroid glands.

6. What nerves are closely related to the thyroid gland that can be injured during
thyroidectomies?
Various nerves are at potential risk for injury during thyroidectomies and other thyroid related
surgeries including the recurrent laryngeal nerve, the superior laryngeal nerve, and the cervical
sympathetic trunk.

7. Illustrate the neck showing the location of the thoracic duct and its relationship with other
veins. Label properly.