Fascial Spaces and Spread of Infection Ch 10 Flashcards
A fibrous sheath of connective tissue that encases muscles, blood vessels, nerves and organs.
Fascia
an area that is either totally or partially enclosed by fascia
Fascial Spaces
Triangles of the neck are bounded by
fascia and muscle
Cervical spaces are enclosed by
fascia
Prevent structures from sticking to each other
Fascial Spaces
Allow movement of organs (trachea & esophagus) during swallowing
Fascial Spaces
The skin is divided into 2 layers:
epidermis and dermis
the hypodermis (additional layer deep to the dermis)
Superficial fascia
Deep fascia has 3 layers:
- Investing Fascia (superficial layer) 2. Visceral Fascia and Muscular fascia (middle layer) 3. Prevertebral Layer (deep layer)
The compartment bordered by the mucosa of the floor of the mouth and the mylohyoid muscle
Sublingual space
Areas within this space can be affected by the spread of pus from an abscess of the incisors, canines, premolars, and first molars
Sublingual space
Boundaries of the sublingual space
Superior: Mucosa of the floor of the mouth Inferior: Mylohyoid muscle
Major content of sublingual space:
–Sublingual gland
–Uncinate process of submandibular gland and duct
–Lingual artery and nerve
–Hypoglossal nerve
Because the apices of the roots of the 2nd and 3rd molars are located superficial to the attachment of the mylohyoid muscle,______ from these teeth can spread into the submandibular space
infection
Lies between the two anterior bellies of the digastric muscles & the hyoid bone
submental space
Infection from incisor teeth drains into this space
submental space
Submental space boundaries
–Superficial: Investing fascia
–Deep: Mylohyoid muscle
–Sides: Anterior belly of the digastric muscles and Hyoid bone
Major content of submental space
–Submental lymph nodes
Infections from the ________ can gain access to the lateral pharyngeal space after spreading beyond the posterior margin of the mylohyoid muscle
Floor of mouth
Lateral Pharyngeal Space location
Between the connective tissue covering the:
–Pharyngeal wall
–Medial pterygoid muscle
Major content of Lateral Pharyngeal Space:
–Carotid sheath
–Styloid process
–Muscles
Once infection reaches the lateral pharyngeal space, it can spread down the back of the neck through the
retrovisceral space
Location of Retrovisceral Space:
between the vertebral column and the visceral compartment of the neck
