Head and Neck

• Why the head and neck region matters and how the curriculum is organised.
• The triangles of the neck, the deep cervical fascia (the layers of connective tissue that wrap the structures of the neck) and the carotid sheath (the tube of fascia around the carotid artery, jugular vein and vagus nerve).
• The twelve cranial nerves with their function and exit foramen (the hole in the skull that each nerve leaves through).
• The pharyngeal arches (bands of tissue in the embryo that form much of the face and neck) and how they explain shared nerve supplies in the head and neck.

2. Blood Supply of the Head and Neck

• Understand the arterial supply of the head and neck areas
• Understand the venous drainage of the head and neck areas (how blood returns from them to the heart through the veins)

3. Lymph Nodes and Neck Lumps

• Be aware of some of the common causes of neck lumps and their associated signs, presentation and locations
• Be aware of red flag symptoms (warning signs of serious disease, such as cancer) of neck lumps and when to refer
• Understand how to approach a neck lump systematically and investigate possible causes

4. The Skull

• Understand the structure of the skull and its components
• Understand the layers, fossae (the hollows in the floor of the skull) and other landmarks of the skull
• Understand the principles behind skull fractures
• Be aware of the most common types of damage to the skull and their implications 

5. The Temporomandibular Joint

• Understand the structure of the TMJ (temporomandibular joint, the joint of the jaw)
• Understand the movements and the unique aspects of the TMJ
• Be aware of some conditions that can affect the TMJ

6. The Meninges

• Understand the structure and role of the meninges
• Be aware of the role of the dura (the tough outer membrane of the meninges), including its two layers and its folds
• Understand the blood vessels associated with the dural venous sinuses (channels formed where the two layers of the dura separate, which drain blood from the brain into the internal jugular vein)
• Be aware of the types of intracranial haemorrhage (bleeding inside the skull) and how they look on CT scans

7. Cranial Nerves I-VI

• Be aware of the cranial nerves, their anatomy, their functions and specialised functions (the special senses, such as smell and vision)
• Understand eye movement and vision, including which cranial nerves and muscles are involved

8. Cranial Nerves VII-XII

• Be aware of the cranial nerves, their anatomy, their functions and their specialised functions (the special senses, such as taste, hearing and balance)

9. Development of the Head and Neck

• Understand the individual components of the head and neck and how they develop embryologically (in the embryo) and chronologically (in order over time)
• Understand the nervous, muscular, cartilaginous and arterial developments of the pharyngeal arches
• Understand why certain birth defects, for example cleft lip and palate, may arise from the way the embryo develops
• Understand the development of the thyroid gland, tongue and pituitary gland, and how the descent of the thyroid from the base of the tongue helps explain midline neck lumps such as thyroglossal duct cysts (fluid-filled sacs left behind along that path)

10. Autonomics in the Head and Neck

• Understand the role of the sympathetic nervous system within the head and neck.
• Understand the role of the parasympathetic nervous system within the head and neck.
• Understand the anatomy of the head and neck autonomic system and how lesions (areas of damage) at different sites cause different problems, such as Horner's syndrome.

11. Anatomy of the Ear

• Describe the three main regions: outer, middle, and inner ear.
• Label key structures: the auricle (the visible outer ear), the ossicles (the three tiny bones of the middle ear), the cochlea (the spiral organ of hearing in the inner ear) and the semicircular canals (the fluid-filled loops in the inner ear that sense head movement).
• Explain functions: sound transmission, and balance through the vestibular system (the balance system of the inner ear).
• Understand embryological origins of ear components and development timeline.
• Relate anatomical features to common clinical issues: hearing loss and vertigo (a spinning sensation).

12. Ear Pathology

• Understand key causes and types of ear pathology across outer, middle, and inner ear.
• Recognise clinical features of common ear disorders, for example otitis externa (inflammation of the outer ear canal, often due to infection) and cholesteatoma (a growth of trapped skin cells in the middle ear).
• Identify red-flag signs (warning signs of serious disease) that need urgent referral to ear, nose and throat (ENT) specialists, or imaging.
• Relate anatomical structures to corresponding pathologies and potential complications.
• Understand the basic pathological mechanisms underlying ear disease: inflammation, growths and effusions (fluid collecting in the middle ear).

13. The Nose

• Understand the functions of the nose
• Be aware of the anatomy of the nose and nasal area
• Be aware of septal haematomas (collections of blood under the lining of the nasal septum, the wall between the two sides of the nose) and their risks
• Understand the anatomy of the paranasal sinuses (the air-filled spaces in the skull bones around the nose)
• Be aware of the blood supply of the nose and how it affects the treatment of epistaxis (nosebleeds)
• Be aware of some common nasal conditions, such as rhinitis (inflammation of the lining of the nose), sinusitis (inflammation of the sinuses) and nasal polyps (soft, non-cancerous growths), and their risks

14. The Oral Cavity and Pharynx

• Understand the anatomy of the oral cavity
• Be aware of the tonsils and conditions that might affect them
• Be aware of the teeth and surrounding functional anatomy and the conditions that may affect them
• Understand the role and innervation (nerve supply) of the tongue
• Be aware of the salivary glands
• Understand the areas of the pharynx
• Have a basic understanding of swallowing and how it works

15. The Eye

• Understand the basic anatomy of the eye: the sclera (the white of the eye), cornea (the clear front window), iris (the coloured ring that controls the size of the pupil), lens, retina (the light-sensing layer at the back of the eye) and optic nerve.
• Describe mechanisms of vision: refraction (the bending of light as it enters the eye), accommodation (the lens changing shape to focus on near objects) and the pathway of light through the eye.
• Recognise common eye pathologies: cataracts (clouding of the lens), glaucoma (damage to the optic nerve), conjunctivitis, and macular degeneration (damage to the macula, the central part of the retina, which affects central vision).
• Identify symptoms and signs that need urgent referral to an eye specialist (ophthalmology), for example sudden vision loss, or moderate to severe eye pain, especially with a red eye or reduced vision.
• Explain simple diagnostic techniques: visual acuity (how clearly a person can see), fundoscopy (looking at the back of the eye with a light) and pupillary reflex testing (checking how the pupils react to light).

16. The Larynx

• Understand the functions of the larynx
• Be aware of the anatomy of the larynx and its components
• Be aware of the muscles and cartilage of the larynx
• Be aware of the innervation of the larynx
• Understand the pathologies associated with the larynx and the various causes for hoarseness of voice
• Be aware of epiglottitis (swelling of the epiglottis, the flap that covers the windpipe when you swallow) as a medical emergency

17. Head and Neck Cancers

• Be aware of the most common types of head and neck cancers
• Understand the risk factors associated with head and neck cancers
• Be aware of the red flag symptoms of head and neck cancers

18. Imaging of the Head and Neck

• Be aware of the various types of scan used to image the head and neck area and when they might be used
• Be aware of situations where you might use ultrasound scans, radiography (X-rays), CT scans and MRI scans as first-line scans (the first choice of scan)

19. Fascial Planes, Muscles and Triangles

• Be aware of the different layers of the neck fascia
• Be aware of the muscles that act within the neck area
• Understand the muscles of facial expression and how they are innervated
• Understand the muscles of mastication (chewing) and how they are innervated
• Be aware of the anatomical triangles of the neck and how they relate to structures and surgery