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Site of neck swelling

Last reviewed dd mmm yyyy. Last edited dd mmm yyyy

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

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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.

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