Carotid sheath and tissue spaces of the neck (dave's notes) Flashcards
Describe the carotid sheath
The carotid sheath is not so much a fascia as a felt work of tissue surrounding the carotid sheath contents
What are the carotid sheath contents?
Common carotid artery
Internal carotid artery
Internal jugular vein
Vagus nerve
What is the origin and termination of the carotid sheath?
It is attached to the base of the skull and continues down to the aortic arch
What lies between the prevertebral fascia and the carotid sheath?
The cervical sympathetic trunk
List the tissue spaces of the neck
The most important clinically are the prevertebral, retropharyngeal, parapharyngeal, and submandibular spaces
Where is the prevertebral space? What is significant about this area?
Behind the prevertebral fascia. If the fascia remains intact this space has no escape
What lies immediately in front of the prevertebral fascia?
A space from the base of the skull to the diaphragm
Where is the cervical sympathetic trunk found?
Between the prevertebral fascia and the carotid sheath.
What is the space from the base of the skull to the diaphragm divided into?
The superior aspect is the retropharyngeal space, which is continuous laterally with the parapharyngeal space, and continuous anteriorly into the submandibular space
What does the retropharyngeal space lie between?
The prevertebral and buccopharyngeal fascia, with parapharyngeal spaces either side
What does infection in the submandibular space cause?
Ludwig’s angina
