neck

introduction

The neck (lat. Collum or cervical as adjective) is the part of the human body that connects the trunk and head. Many organs that start in the head area continue through the neck in the trunk (e.g. gastrointestinal tract with esophagus, respiratory tract with trachea, spine with spinal cord, nerve tracts). In addition, the neck contains some important organs (e.g. thyroid, parathyroid).

bone

The neck receives its bony Stability through the spinewhich in the neck area Cervical spine is called. It consists of in the neck area seven vertebral bodiesof which the first atlas and the second axis to be named. The spine is connected to the skull via these first two vertebral bodies. The remaining vertebral bodies lie on top of one another, with each Band washers between lie. The cervical spine is shaped convex to the front (Neck lordosis).

Muscles on the neck

In the throat there is numerous muscles, the one Allow movement of the head and upper torso. The muscles in the neck area are divided into three groups:

1. The superficial neck muscles: The platysma, a very thin plate of muscle that connects directly to the skin is connected and the sternocleidomastoid muscle for the rotation of the head

2. The Scalenus group: for the mobility of the cervical spine to the side

3. The prevertrebral muscles in the area of ​​the spine: for lateral movement and flexion of the cervical spine

There are also still in the throat Parts of the chewing and tongue muscles.

Blood vessels

Also large blood vessels for the Care of the neck and head run through the neck region. It can be found here including the large carotid artery (Common carotid artery) and the large veinsthat get the blood out of your head Hearts transport (jugular vein).

Nerves on the neck

in the Spinal canal (formed by the vertebral bodies and vertebral arches) lies the spinal cord, which is directly from the brain continues. It contains numerous nerve cordsthat send commands from the brain to the periphery or report information from the periphery to the brain. In the neck area there are also the Nerves to the poor, the the arm plexus at the level of the neck (Arm nerve plexus). Also a few Cranial nerves, i.e. nerves that arise directly from the brain run through the neck (e.g. Vagus nerve, which includes the vocal cords innervated)

Cervical lymph nodes

The neck contains numerous lymph nodeswho play an important role in Immune defense play. The Cervical lymph nodes are divided into three regions:

1. The superficial lymph nodes: Arrangement on both sides along the jugular vein (jugular vein)

2. The deep lymph nodes: Arrangement on both sides along the common carotid artery (carotid artery)

3. The anterior lymph nodes: Arrangement in front Larynx and thyroid

Larynx

The larynx is a Cartilage-bone structurewhich the Entrance from the throat into the trachea represents. The Larynx self consists the Thyroid cartilage (Cartilago thyroidea), which is visible and palpable from the outside as an "Adam's apple". Below is the Cricoid cartilage (Cartilago cricoidea) and behind the two Cartilage (Cartilagines arytaenoideae).When swallowing will the Entrance to the larynx through the epiglottis (Epiglottis) lockedso no food in the esophagus got. in the Interior of the larynx are the vocal cords suspended, which are vibrated by blasts of air, which creates the sounds of the voice. Right in front of the larynx lies the thyroid.

windpipe

Right on the lower edge of the larynx begins the trachea. This consists of cartilaginous rings (cartilage clasps) that are connected to one another by ligaments. Inside there is a surface, which is small Cilia and mucus-producing goblet cells contains. The inhaled air enters the trachea Bronchi and from there to the lung.

esophagus

Behind the trachea is the esophagus that arises from the throat and one muscular tube represents. When swallowed, the chewed food slides sideways past the larynx and gets into the esophagus, from where it passes through undulating muscle movements is transported into the stomach.

thyroid

As mentioned earlier, the thyroid gland is just in front of the larynx. More precisely, in front of the thyroid cartilagewho gave it its name. This is a gland, consisting consisting of two lobes and a connecting piece (Isthmus). This gland consists of different types of cellswho have different Produce hormones. The actual thyroid cells produce this Thyroid hormone thyroxine. There are also the so-called C cells, Which Produce calcitonin. This is a hormone that causes the Calcium and phosphate balance also regulatedDue to the narrow anatomical position in the neck, it can If the thyroid gland is enlarged, the windpipe or the neck vessels become constrictedwhich can have serious complications.

Parathyroid

Directly next to or slightly behind the thyroid gland, find themselves on both sides each about two parathyroid glands. These are something lens-sized and will also called epithelial bodies. In some people, only three or up to five parathyroid glands can be found. The task of the parathyroid glands is Parathyroid hormone production. This hormone also plays a significant role in the Regulation of the calcium and phosphate balance.