Carotid sheath (dave's notes) Flashcards
Describe the location of the carotid sheath in the head
Lies in contact with the prevertebral fascia, lying on the side wall of the pharynx
What is lateral to the carotid sheath in the head?
The three muscles of the styloid apparatus slope down
Give the upper and lower margins of the carotid sheath
Extends from the aortic arch to the margin of the carotid canal and parotid fascia
What does the upper part of the carotid sheath contain?
Internal carotid artery, internal jugular vein, the last four cranial nerves
What lies medial to the upper part of the carotid sheath?
The pharynx
What lies lateral to the upper part of the carotid sheath?
The parotid gland and styloid process (3 muscles slope downwards and forwards)
What lies behind the upper part of the carotid sheath?
The cervical sympathetic chain, on the prevertebral fascia
What passes between the external carotid artery and the internal carotid artery?
Styloid process Styloid ligament Styloglossus Stylopharyngeus Glossopharyngeal nerve (with a branch to stylopharyngeus) and its pharyngeal branch Pharyngeal branch of the vagus (+/- branchial fistula tract)
What passes superficially to the carotid sheath?
Stylohyoid, posterior belly of digastric, and at a lower level the hypoglossal nerve
What passes deep to both (? the internal and external carotid?)
Superior laryngeal nerve; two branches, internal and external