ANATOMY

OF
DEEP NECK SPACES
 Deep Neck Space Anatomy

Space Involving Entire Length Of Neck

Space Limited To Above The Hyoid Bone

Space limited To Below The Hyoid Bone

 Space Involving Entire Length Of Neck

1. Retropharyngeal Space
2. Prevertebral Space
3. Carotid Sheath Space
 Retropharyngeal Space
Between visceral
division of middle layer
and alar division of deep
layer
Extend from skull base
to T2 level
More common in
children due to presence
of retropharyngeal node
 Retropharyngeal space
Lateral soft tissue X-ray (extension, inspiration) abnormal
findings:
1. C2-post pharyngeal soft tissue >7mm
2. C6adults >22mm, peads >14mm
3. STS of post pharyngeal region >50% width of vertebral
body
 Prevertebral space
Potential space
posterior to
prevertebral division
and anterior to
vertebral bodies
Extends from skull
base to the coccyx
 Carotid sheath Space
Made up from all
deep cervical fascia
Infection from any
deep fascia can
spread to this space.
Space Limit To Above The Hyoid Bone

1. Parapharyngeal Space
2. Submandibular Space
3. Masticator Space
4. Temporal Space
5. Parotid Space
 Parapharyngeal Space
(Lateral pharyngeal Space)
Boundary

Superiorly : Skull base

Inferiorly : Hyoid bone
Laterally : Medial pterygoid m.
Medially :Buccopharyngeal fascia
Anteriorly : Submandibular space
Posteromedialy : Prevertebral fascia
and retrophryngeal space
 Submandibular Space

Divided into 2 spaces by

mylohyoid m.
1. Sublingual space (above
mylohyoid m.)
2. Submaxillaly space (below
mylohyiod m.)

These 2 spaces can

communicate each other
by mylohyoid cleft
 Masticator Space
Between masticator m.
and superficial layer of
deep cervical fascia
(Masticator m. = massestor
m.,medial and lateral
pterygoid m. and
temporalis muscle)
Locate anterior and
lateral to parapharyngeal
space
 Parotid Space
Between parotid gl. and
superficial layer of deep
cervical fascia
Infection can spread easily to
parapharyngeal space due to
uncompleted encircle at
upper inner surface of parotid
gland.
Space Limit To Below The Hyoid Bone
Anterior Viseral Space
(Pretracheal Space)
Between trachea,
esophagus and middle
layer of deep cervical
fascia
Extend from hyoid bone
to superior mediastinum
Thank You