Anchor points in the neck!
ORL-HNS Radiology Made Easy: Anchor points in the neck!
Chitradurga
November 12, 2020.
Interpreting normal anatomy or pathology on CT Scan or MRI of the Neck can be confusing for beginners. One of the easy ways is studying them in relation to cervical vertebrae. When we look at the axial sections randomly, it is difficult to identify the vertebrae level. We can use the other bony points in the Head and Neck region as anchor points to assess the level. However, these are only approximate landmarks which can vary with age and sex.
- Only the Hard palate (C1) has the most consistent relationship. Hard palate lies at the Basi occiput (McGregor line) and C1 level.
- The angle of the mandible at the level of C2.
- The center of the body of the hyoid bone at C4.
- The inferior border of the cricoid cartilage in the midline anteriorly at C6 in women, and C7 in men.
The superior limit of the laminae of the thyroid cartilage at C4 in women and C5 in men.
Dr. Prahlada N.B
prahlad@kenthospitals.com.
Ref: Vertebral levels of key landmarks in the neck: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22836507/
