This site is intended for healthcare professionals

Go to /sign-in page

You can view 5 more pages before signing in

Site of neck swelling

Authoring team

  • it is essential to define the site of a lump in the neck.
  • the neck is divided into two triangles
    • the anterior triangle
      • this is bounded by the anterior border of the sternomastoid muscle, the lower edge of the jaw and the midline.
      • structures deep to sternomastoid are considered to be inside the anterior triangle.
    • the posterior triangle
      • this is bounded by the posterior border of the sternomastoid muscle, the anterior edge of the trapezius and the clavicle.
  • to define the triangles, the patient must tense the neck muscles:
    • sternomastoid - put your hand under the patient's chin and ask him to nod his head against resistance. This tightens both sternomastoids
    • trapezius - ask the patient to shrug his shoulders against resistance

Create an account to add page annotations

Annotations allow you to add information to this page that would be handy to have on hand during a consultation. E.g. a website or number. This information will always show when you visit this page.

The content herein is provided for informational purposes and does not replace the need to apply professional clinical judgement when diagnosing or treating any medical condition. A licensed medical practitioner should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions.

Connect

Copyright 2024 Oxbridge Solutions Limited, a subsidiary of OmniaMed Communications Limited. All rights reserved. Any distribution or duplication of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited. Oxbridge Solutions receives funding from advertising but maintains editorial independence.