Structures Found AT the Root of the Neck

You will now disarticulate the sternoclavicular joint and identify the structures located at the root of the neck. The root of the neck is bounded by the manubrium of the sternum anteriorly, the first rib laterally and the first thoracic vertebra posteriorly. All structures passing from the head through the neck to lower regions pass through this area as well as structures arising in the thoracic cavity and passing out through this region. The following description of the root of the neck starts with the most anteriorly placed structures and proceeds to the most posteriorly placed ones.

Most anterior structures: brachiocephalic vein vertebral vein internal jugular vein subclavian vein thoracic duct thymus gland
The next layer can be considered the artery-nerve layer: lung vagus nerve common carotid artery subclavian artery ansa subclavius thyrocervical trunk vertebral artery internal thoracic artery trachea esophagus
The upper lobe of the lung (1) extends into the neck region. This is clinically important for anyone entering this region surgically since the lung can be punctured if the surgeon isn't careful.
The posterior part of the root of the neck is made up of the anterior surface of the body of the 1st thoracic vertebra with its anterior longitudinal ligament (in gray). When observing this area, you can see the nerves: ventral ramus of C8 ventral ramus of T1 lower trunk of brachial plexus stellate ganglion (inferior cervical + 1st thoracic ganglia)