Video - Superficial structures of the neck: Posterior triangle

The posterior neck triangle is an anatomical region in the posterolateral aspect of the neck. It is anteriorly bordered by the posterior border of the sternocleidomastoid, posteriorly by the anterior border of the trapezius muscle, and inferiorly by the middle third of the clavicle.

It has a roof formed by the investing layer of deep cervical fascia and a floor formed by the muscles splenius capitis, levator scapulae, middle scalene, posterior scalene, and occasionally a portion of anterior scalene, which are covered by the prevertebral layer of deep cervical fascia.

The posterior triangle is further divided by the inferior belly of the omohyoid into two other triangles: the occipital triangle located superiorly and the omoclavicular triangle located inferiorly. The posterior triangle includes arteries such as the suprascapular artery, cervicodorsal trunk, the third part of the subclavian artery and part of the occipital artery, veins such as the external jugular vein and nerves such as spinal accessory nerve, brachial plexus, and cervical plexus.