The general topography of the neck

This article describes in a broad yet systematic manner, the basic topographical arrangement of the viscera, muscles and the major blood vessels in the neck. It defines the anatomical relationships of these structures to each other and to the various fascial layers in the neck. A clear understanding of this arrangement is fundamental to a proper study of the surgical anatomy of the neck. Detailed anatomical descriptions of individual viscera fall outside the scope and purpose of this article as do detailed accounts of the course and distribution of individual nerves and vessels in the neck.