During central venous cannulation of the internal jugular vein using the anterior triangle approach, the needle is inserted at the apex of a triangle formed by which structures?

• A Two heads of sternocleidomastoid and clavicle
• B Anterior and posterior borders of sternocleidomastoid and clavicle
• C Sternal and clavicular heads of sternocleidomastoid and the clavicle ✓
• D Omohyoid, sternocleidomastoid, and clavicle

Explanation

In the standard central approach for internal jugular vein cannulation, the apex of the triangle formed by the sternal head and clavicular head of sternocleidomastoid (the 'V' of the two heads) and the clavicle is the needle insertion point. The needle is directed toward the ipsilateral nipple at 30–45 degrees to skin. The internal jugular vein lies deep to the SCM in the carotid sheath, lateral to the common carotid artery.

Reference: BD Chaurasia's Human Anatomy, 8th ed.

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Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.