Fascia Of The Neck Flashcards
Deep fascia of the neck
A. Investing layer
B. Pretracheal layer
C. Prevertebral layer
D. Carotid sheath
Thin layer of subcutaneous tissue
Superficial Cervical Fascia
The Superficial Cervical Fascia contains
1- Cutaneous nerves
2- Blood vessels and lymphatics
3- Superficial lymph nodes and fat
4- Platysma muscle
The attachment of deep fascia to hyoid bone prevents formation of
Dewlap
Fxns of the deep cervical fascia
1- Surrounds viscera and vessels forming cleavage planes between them during surgery
2- Limits spread of abscess
3- Provides slippery surface for movement of neck viscera, e.g. during swallowing.
surrounds all structures in the neck
Investing layer
encloses the viscera of the neck
Pretracheal layer
surrounds the vertebral column and the deep muscles associated with the back
Prevertebral layer
receive a contribution from the other 3 fascial layers and surround the 2 major neurovascular bundles on either side of the neck
Carotid sheaths
Surrounds the entire neck deep to the superficial fascia
Investing layer
The investing layer splits to envelope 2 muscles:
SCM
Trapezius
The investing layer splits to envelope 2 salivary glands:
Submandibular
Parotid
Deep to the parotid gland, the investing layer thickens to form the
stylomandibular ligament
The investing layer splits above two bones
manubrium sterni
middle 1/3 of clavicle
the investing layer splits above manubrium sterni to form the suprasternal space that contains
- inferior end of anterior jugular veins
- jugular venous arch
- lymph nodes and fat
the investing layer splits above middle 1/3 of clavicle where the posterior layer surrounds the—–
inferior belly of omohyoid muscle
Below the clavicle, the investing layer is represented by the ——
clavi-pectoral fascia
Posteriorly, the investing layer is continuous with the ——
Iigamentum nuchae
Lies anterior to the trachea
Pretracheal Layer
The pretracheal layer consists of 2 parts:
1- thin muscular layer enclosing the infrahyoid muscles
2- visceral layer enclosing - thyroid gland, trachea, esophagus
Superior attachment of the pretracheal layer
Hyoid bone
Thyroid cartilage
Cricoid cartilage
Inferior attachment of the pretracheal layer
AOTA
Lateral attachment of the pretracheal fascia
Blends with the carotid sheath
Posteriorly the pretracheal layer is referred to as
Retrovisceral
Tubular layer around the vertebral column and associated muscles
Prevertebral layer
Superior attachment of the prevertebral layer
Base of skull
Inferioir attachment of the prevertebral layer
body of T3 vertebra
The prevertebral fascia extends laterally as the ———— around the axillary vessels and brachial plexus
Axillary sheath
The prevertebral fascia is continuous inferiorly with the
anterior longitudinal ligament
These are embedded in the prevertebral layer
Sympathetic trunks
The prevertebral layer begins from
cervical spinous processes
ligamentum nuchae
The prevertebral layer divides into two layers/laminae as it passes what structure
behind the esophagus and in front of the vertebral column
The carotid sheath contains
1- common and internal carotid arteries 2- internal jugular vein (IJV) 3- vagus nerve 4- carotid sinus nerve – a branch from glossopharyngeal nerve 5- carotid sympathetic plexus 6- deep cervical lymph nodes
Superior attachment of the carotid sheath
base of skull around carotid foramen
Inferior attachment of the carotid sheath
AOTA
The carotid sheath blends anteriorly wt the
Investing layer
The carotid sheath blendsially with the
Pretracheal layer
The carotid sheath blends post with the
Prevertebral layer
largest fascial compartment; includes the other three, and consists of the area surrounded by the investing layer
1st
The 2nd fascial compartment consists of
the vertebral column, the deep muscles associated with this structure, and is the area contained within the prevertebral layer
The 3rd/ visceral compartment contains the
pharynx, the trachea, the esophagus, and the thyroid gland, which are surrounded by the pretracheal layer
The 4th comp/ carotid sheath consists of
neurovascular structures that pass from the base of the skull to the thoracic cavity, and the sheath enclosing these structures receives contributions from the other cervical fascias
Classification of the fascia of the neck
Superficial
Deep
