NECK SPACES -1
- DR. LABIHA AYESHA
11/07/2024
Cervical fascia
The superficial cervical fascia is the subcutaneous connective
tissue of the neck between the dermis and the deep cervical fascia.
The deep cervical fascia consists of three separate but
related fascial layers that encircle structures in the neck and allow
anatomic compartmentalization into the deep spaces of the head
and neck.
superficial layer of the deep cervical fascia
middle layer of the deep cervical fascia
deep layer of the deep cervical fascia
GROSS ANATOMY
Three layers of deep cervical fascia form the boundaries of the deep spaces in
the neck:
Superficial layer: investing fascia of
the sternocleidomastoid and trapezius muscles, fascia of the muscles of
mastication, fascia between the hyoid and mandible that forms the floor of
the submandibular space, at least some of the fascia covering the parotid gland.
Middle layer: strap muscle fascia, visceral fascia that encloses the thyroid
gland and aerodigestive tract (pharynx, larynx, trachea, esophagus)
Deep layer: peri-vertebral fascia of the prevertebral and paraspinal
muscles, alar fascia.
Suprahyoid neck
parotid space
masticator space, including or contiguous with the buccal
space
submandibular space, including or contiguous with
the sublingual space and submental space
parapharyngeal space
Suprahyoid and infrahyoid neck
visceral space
pharyngeal mucosal space
carotid space
retropharyngeal space, including or contiguous
with danger space
Peri-vertebral space, including prevertebral space
posterior cervical space
Infrahyoid neck
anterior cervical space
suprasternal space
strap muscle compartment
PAROTID SPACE
Contents
parotid gland
intraparotid lymph nodes
intraparotid facial nerve (CN VII)
external carotid artery
retromandibular vein
Relations
lateral to the parapharyngeal space
medial to superficial space and subcutaneous tissue
anterior to the carotid space
posterior belly of the digastric muscle forms a variable portion of the posteromedial border of the parotid
space and at times this muscular band helps to differentiate a deep-lobe parotid space lesion to one arising in
the carotid space
posterior to the masticator space.
CASE 1
CASE 2
CASE 3
CASE 4
CASE 5
CASE 6
CASE 7
CASE 8
CASE 9
MASTICATOR SPACE
Gross anatomy
The masticator spaces are paired suprahyoid cervical spaces on each side of the face.
Each space is enveloped by the superficial (investing) layer of the deep cervical
fascia. The superficial layer of the deep cervical fascia splits into two at the lower
border of the mandible. The inner layer runs deep to the medial pterygoid
muscle and attaches to the skull base medial to foramen ovale. The outer layer
covers the masseter and temporalis muscles and attaches to
the parietal calvaria superiorly.
Contents
muscles of mastication
ramus and body of mandible
mandibular division of the trigeminal nerve (Vc)
enters the masticator space via the foramen ovale 1
inferior alveolar nerve
inferior alveolar artery and vein
pterygoid venous plexus
Anatomy of masticator
space in healthy 34-
year-old man. LP =
lateral pterygoid
muscle, M = masseter
muscle, MP = medial
pterygoid muscle, P =
parapharyngeal space,
Pa = parotid gland, T =
temporalis muscle
CASE 11
CASE 12, 13
CASE 14
CASE 15
.
CASE 16
Buccal space
Gross anatomy
The buccal spaces are paired fat-containing spaces on each side of
the face forming cheeks. Each space is enveloped by the superficial
(investing) layer of the deep cervical fascia.
It is located between the buccinator and platysma muscles,
therefore it is only a small potential space with limited contents.
Contents
fat: cheek padding
parotid duct
accessory parotid gland in 20% of people which can cause facial
asymmetry; readily seen on MRI
facial and buccal arteries and corresponding veins
facial nerve (CN VII): buccal branch
trigeminal nerve (CN V): buccal nerve of the mandibular division
CASE 17
CASE 18
CASE 19
CASE 20
CASE 21
Submandibular space
Gross anatomy
The superficial layer of the deep cervical
fascia between the mandible and hyoid bone forms the
floor of the submandibular space.
Contents
superficial (main) portion of the submandibular gland
submandibular lymph nodes (level Ib)
facial artery and vein
fat
inferior loop of the hypoglossal nerve
CASE 22
CASE 23
CASE 24
CASE 25