Lesson 1 Flashcards
(24 cards)
What is cervical fascia?
Fasciae of the neck that invests the neck and surrounds most structures of the neck
Includes superficial and deep fasciae of the neck
What are the two types of cervical fascia?
- Superficial fascia
- Deep fascia
Each type has distinct structures and functions.
Where is the superficial fascia of the neck located?
Between the skin and deep fascia of the neck
What does the superficial fascia of the neck contain?
- Adipose tissue
- Platysma
- Blood and lymph vessels
- Cutaneous nerves
- Some lymph nodes
What are the layers of deep cervical fascia?
- Investing layer
- Prevertebral layer
- Pretracheal layer
- Carotid sheath
What is the investing layer of deep cervical fascia?
The most external layer of deep fascia, forming a sleeve-like covering for the neck
What structures does the investing layer of deep cervical fascia enclose?
- Sternocleidomastoid
- Trapezius
- Parotid and submandibular glands
What is the stylomandibular ligament?
A thickened ligament between the styloid process and angle of mandible that separates parotid from submandibular glands
What structures does the pretracheal layer of deep fascia enclose?
- Thyroid gland
- Trachea
- Oesophagus
- Infrahyoid muscles
What is the carotid sheath?
A condensation of cervical fascia around the common and internal carotid artery and internal jugular vein
What are the contents of the carotid sheath?
- Common carotid artery
- Internal carotid artery
- Internal jugular vein
- Vagus nerve
- Fibres of ansa cervicalis
- Nerve to carotid sinus
- Few deep cervical lymph nodes
- Carotid plexus of sympathetic nerves
True or False: The sympathetic chain is a content of the carotid sheath.
False
What is ansa cervicalis?
A loop of nerve fibres that innervate infrahyoid muscles
What are the roots of ansa cervicalis?
- Superior root
- Inferior root
What does the prevertebral fascia cover?
- Prevertebral muscles
- Scaleni anterior and medius
- Levator scapulae
What is the vertical extent of prevertebral fascia?
From the base of the skull above to the level of T3 below
What is the retropharyngeal space?
A potential space between buccopharyngeal fascia and prevertebral fascia that contains loose connective tissue
What can infection in the neck lead to?
- Mediastinitis
- Empyema
- Sepsis
What is a retropharyngeal abscess associated with?
Dysphagia (painful swallowing)
What is cellulitis?
Inflammation of skin/subcutaneous tissue
How can infections spread in the neck?
Through the arrangement of cervical fasciae
What is a cleavage plane in the neck?
Fascial planes that help separate structures during surgery
What is the danger space?
A space between alar fascia and prevertebral fascia
Fill in the blank: The pretracheal fascia blends with the _______ fascia.
buccopharyngeal
