American Board of Surgery Qualifying Exam (ABS QE) Practice Test

What anatomical boundaries define zone 1 of the neck?

1. Clavicle to cricoid cartilage

2. Cricoid to angle of mandible

3. Angle of mandible to base of skull

4. Base of skull to shoulder

The correct answer is: Clavicle to cricoid cartilage

Zone 1 of the neck is anatomically defined as the area between the clavicle and the cricoid cartilage. This region is significant in trauma assessments, especially in the evaluation of potential vascular injuries or airway compromise due to its anatomical structures. The specific landmark of the cricoid cartilage is important because it serves as a reference point for various surgical procedures and interventions, especially in emergency medicine. The clavicle represents the inferior boundary of this zone, making the definition precise and clinically relevant when evaluating neck injuries. Understanding the delineation of this zone is crucial for medical professionals, particularly in surgical settings, as it helps in triaging patients and deciding on the approach for penetrating neck injuries or other traumatic incidents. This zone encompasses vital structures, including major vascular elements, making it vital for surgical planning and risk assessment. The other zones cover different neck anatomical landmarks: Zone 2 is defined from the cricoid cartilage to the angle of the mandible, while Zone 3 extends from the angle of the mandible to the base of the skull. Each of these zones has particular clinical implications, but Zone 1 specifically revolves around the area immediately above the clavicle, leading up to the important airway structure at the cricoid level.