Carotid Triangle

Name the structures forming the boundaries of Carotid Triangle.

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Carotid triangle is one of the subdivisions of anterior triangle of neck. It is so called because it contains all the 3 carotid arteries, viz. common carotid, internal carotid and external carotid. Its boundaries are:

• Superiorly: Posterior belly of digastric and stylohyoid.
• Anteroinferiorly: Superior belly of omohyoid.
• Posteriorly: Anterior border of sternocleidomastoid (SCM).
• Roof is formed by the investing layer of deep cervical fascia.

• Floor is formed by 4 muscles viz: thyrohyoid, hyoglossus, middle& inferior constrictors of pharynx.

 Enumerate the contents of Carotid Triangle.

Following are the contents of carotid triangle:

• Arteries: Common carotid, internal carotid and external carotid arteries and origin of five branches of external carotid artery viz. superior thyroid, ascending pharyngeal, occipital, lingual and facial arteries.
• Veins: Internal jugular vein and its tributaries viz. common facial, lingual, pharyngeal, superior thyroid, middle thyroid veins. 
• Nerves:Last 3 cranial nerves viz. vagus , spinal accessory and hypoglossal nerves, ansa cervicalis and cervical part of the sympathetic chain.
• Lymph nodes: Deep cervical lymph nodes.
• Others:Carotid sinus and carotid body.