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Anatomy
Basics Upper limb Lower limb Spine and back Thorax Abdomen Pelvis and perineum Head and neck Neuroanatomy Cross sections Radiological anatomy
Histology
Types of tissues
CoursesAnatomyHead and neckNeckTriangles of the neck
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CoursesAnatomyHead and neckNeckTriangles of the neck

Triangles of the neck

Learning objectives

Completing this study unit will allow you to:

  1. Identify the anatomical borders of the anterior and posterior triangles of the neck.
  2. List the structures located in each of the triangles of the neck.
  3. Describe the course of neurovascular structures travelling through the triangles of the neck.

Watch videos

The triangles of the neck allow us to better understand and categorise the exact anatomical location of the organs, muscles and neurovascular structures passing through the neck. The midline of the neck, which is the line running from the mandibular symphysis to the manubrium sterni, divides the neck into two symmetrical halves, while the sternocleidomastoid muscle further divides each half into an anterior and posterior triangle.

The anterior triangle contains mainly vessels, nerves and lymphatics that course between the head and the thorax, while the structures contained in the posterior triangle are mainly associated with the upper limb. Each of these triangles is further subdivided into smaller triangles or regions. Knowledge about their anatomical borders and contents is important in clinical examinations of the neck region, such as the palpation of the pulse of neck arteries or the identification of enlarged lymph nodes.

Watch the following video to expand your knowledge on the triangles of the neck!

Take a quiz

Test your newly acquired knowledge with the quiz below!

Looking for an additional challenge? Why not try the following quiz on the anatomy of the entire neck:

Custom quiz: Neck For a broader topic focus, try this customizable quiz.

Browse atlas

Explore the triangles of the neck as well as their muscular and neurovascular components in the atlas galleries below:

Triangles of the neck

Anterior triangle of neck
Trigonum anterius colli
1/8
Synonyms: Trigonum cervicale anterius

Bones and muscles of the neck

Acromion of scapula
Acromion scapulae
1/27
Synonyms: Acromial process of scapula

Neurovascular structures of the neck

Brachiocephalic trunk
Truncus brachiocephalicus
1/23
Synonyms: Brachiocephalic artery, innominate artery , show more...

Summary

Key points about the anterior triangles of the neck
Submandibular triangle Borders:
Superior: Mandible
Anterior: Anterior belly of digastric muscle
Posterior: Posterior belly of the digastric muscle
Floor: Mylohyoid and hyoglossus muscles
Contents: Submandibular glands and lymph nodes, facial artery and vein, submental artery and vein, mylohyoid nerve, geniohyoid muscle, hyoglossus muscle, lingual artery, deep lingual vein
Submental triangle Borders:
Lateral: Anterior belly of the digastric muscle
Inferior (base): Hyoid bone
Superior (apex): Mandibular symphysis
Floor: Mylohyoid muscle
Contents: Submental veins, submental lymph nodes
Muscular (omotracheal) triangle Borders:
Superior: Hyoid bone
Superolateral: Superior belly of omohyoid muscle
Inferolateral: Sternocleidomastoid muscle
Base: Median line of the neck
Apex: Junction of the sternocleidomastoid and superior belly of the omohyoid muscles
Contents: Infrahyoid muscles (thyrohyoid, sternothyroid, sternohyoid), thyroid gland, parathyroid gland, superior thyroid artery and vein, inferior thyroid artery and vein, anterior jugular vein
Carotid triangle Borders:
Anterior: Superior belly of the omohyoid muscle
Superior: Posterior belly of digastric muscle
Posterior: Anterior border of the sternocleidomastoid muscle
Floor: Thyrohyoid, hyoglossus, middle and inferior constrictors of the pharynx muscles
Contents: Carotid sheath containing the common carotid artery, internal jugular vein, vagus nerve (CN X), deep cervical lymph nodes; superior thyroid artery, lingual artery, facial artery, ascending pharyngeal artery, occipital artery; hypoglossal nerve (CN XII), accessory nerve (CN XI), ansa cervicalis
Key points about the posterior triangles of the neck
Omoclavicular (supraclavicular) triangle Borders:
Superior: Inferior belly of omohyoid muscle
Anterior: Sternocleidomastoid muscle
Inferior: Clavicle
Floor: Anterior and middle scalene muscles
Contents: Subclavian artery, transverse cervical artery, dorsal scapular artery, external jugular vein, brachial plexus, phrenic nerve, supraclavicular lymph nodes
Occipital (omotrapezius) triangle Borders:
Anterior: Posterior border of sternocleidomastoid muscle
Posterior: Trapezius muscle
Inferior: Inferior belly of omohyoid muscle
Floor: Splenius capitis, levator scapulae and middle scalene muscles
Contents: Occipital artery, transverse cervical artery, accessory nerve (CN XI), brachial plexus, cervical plexus, phrenic nerve

Well done!

Related articles

Triangles of the neck Read article
Submandibular triangle Read article
Submental triangle Read article
Carotid triangle Read article

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