Anatomical spaces

Question 1

What is an anatomical spaces

Answer 1

continuous
area or expanse which is free, available, or unoccupied

Question 2

True anatomical space

Answer 2

occur normally

Question 3

Potential space

Answer 3

-not normal existing
-occur due to pathologies

Question 4

What is the purpose of fascia

Answer 4

organises, supports and protects bodies muscle group, organs and tissues

Question 5

The neck is divided into fasical compartments what does this allow for

Answer 5

– Ease of movement during
movement, swallowing, etc
– Formation of natural planes
of tissue packing
– Determination of spread of
infection

Question 6

Name the tissue layers in neck

Answer 6

Skin
* Subcutaneous fat/superficial fascia
* Platysma muscle (Anterior)
* Deep cervical fascia

Question 7

Name the layers of superfical and deep cervial fasica

Answer 7

Superficial cervical fascia
– single layer

Deep cervical fascia
– Investing fascia
– Pretracheal fascia (Anterior)
– Prevertebral fascia (Posterior)
– Carotid sheaths (Lateral) -> Alar fascia

Question 8

deep layer

Investing layer

encloses, attachments

Answer 8

most superficial of deep
layers of fascia

• Encloses
  – Platysma (Anteriorly)
  – Trapezius (Posterior
  – Sternocleidomastoid (SCM- Laterally)
  – Submandibular gland
• Attachments
  – Superior and inferior bony
  attachments

Question 9

Pretracheal Layer

Answer 9

• Spans from Hyoid to the Thorax
• Blends with pericardium
• Contents
  – Infrahyoid muscles
  – Trachea
  – Oesophagus
  – Thyroid Gland

Question 10

Prevertebral Layer

aka muscular layer

Answer 10

Encloses
* Vertebral column
* Muscles of the Paravertebral Region
-erector spinae muscles, include the iliocostalis, longissimus, and spinalis muscles -> help stablise spine, maintain posture, and control movement of trunk and neck

• Attachments
  – Cranial base (Superior)
  – Endothoracic fascia (Inferior)
• Axillary sheath is a continuation of
  prevertebral fascia

Question 11

Carotid sheath

Answer 11

not considred a disticnt fasica, but a continuation of the others

Extends from Cranial base of skull to
first rib and sternum

contents
carotid artery, jugular vein, vagus nerve, and sympathetic plexus

Question 12

What are the spaces in the neck divided into

Answer 12

– Fascial Spaces of the face (n=5)
– Suprahyoid Fascial Spaces (n=5)
– Infrahyoid Fascial Spaces (n=1)
– Fascial Spaces of the neck (n=5

Blood from perforated vessels or
pus from infections in the neck can
collect as tissue mass in-between
fascial planes, creating “potential spaces”

Question 13

Alar fascia

Answer 13

-thin fasical membrane
-in transverse plane
-between muscualr and visceral compartment

divides space into
Space between muscular layer & Alar Fascia
– Space between Alar Fascia and visceral layer

Question 14

Prevetebral space

Answer 14

Potential space

Between prevertebral Fascia + Anterior Surface of Vertebral Bodies of cervical Spine

Question 15

Reteropharengl space

Answer 15

potential space
-between alar fascia and prevertbral

Question 16

Danger space

Answer 16

potential space between
alar fascia and muscular compartment

Question 17

Whats the difference between reteropharengyl space and danger spcae

Answer 17

reteropharengyl is anterior to danger space

Question 18

Where does infection spread

investing +PT, post PV, RP, head

Investing layer helps prevent abscess
spread

Answer 18

Between investing and pretracheal fascia
– Spread to thoracic cavity

Abscess posterior to prevertebral layer
– May extend laterally to SCM

Retropharyngeal abscess
– Spread to superior mediastinum

Infections in the head
– Inferior spread, posterior to oesophagus
– Posterior mediastinum