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Neck

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Introduction

Anatomy

Zone I is bottom of the neck, extending from the clavicle/suprasternal notch to the cricoid cartilage. It contains the proximal common carotid, vertebral, and subclavian arteries and the trachea, esophagus, thoracic duct, and thymus.

Zone II is the area between the cricoid cartilage and the angle of the mandible. It contains the internal and external carotid arteries, jugular veins, pharynx, larynx, esophagus, recurrent laryngeal nerve, spinal cord, trachea, thyroid, and parathyroids.

Zone III extends from the angle of the mandible to the base of the skull. It contains the distal extracranial carotid and vertebral arteries and the jugular veins.