Usefulness of the C1 transverse process as a reference guide in the dissection of the upper lateral neck

In this investigation we dissected 3 cadavers with the lateral cervical app roach to assess the usefulness of the transverse process of the atlas (TPA) as a reference guide in the upper lateral neck. Our results indicate that all the important structures in this space can be identified systematically . Lateral to the TPA sits the posterior belly of the digastric muscle, the stylohyoid muscle, and the occipital artery, Anterior to the TPA, the stylo id process can be exposed. The internal jugular vein and cranial nerves X, XI, and XII sit between the styloid process and the TPA, Superior to the TP A, tracing the carotid sheath upward, the carotid canal and jugular foramen can be reached, Anteroinferior to the jugular foramen, the hypoglossal ner ve emerges from the cranial cavity through the hypoglossal canal, Posterior to the TPA, the suboccipital triangle can be recognized. Within the triang le, the vertebral artery and its accompanying venous complex can be identif ied.