Retropharyngeal space

Retropharyngeal space
Section of the neck at about the level of the sixth cervical vertebra. Showing the arrangement of the deep cervical fascia
Sagittal section of nose, mouth, pharynx and larynx
Details
Latin	Spatium retropharyngeum
Identifiers
Dorlands /Elsevier	s_16/12746627
TA
TH	{{#property:P1694}}
TE	{{#property:P1693}}
FMA	{{#property:P1402}}
Anatomical terminology [[[d:|edit on Wikidata]]]

The retropharyngeal space is a potential space of the head and neck, bounded by the buccopharyngeal fascia anteriorly and the alar fascia posteriorly. Together with the lateral pharyngeal space, these spaces are termed the parapharyngeal spaces.

It contains the retropharyngeal lymph nodes.

Because serious infections of teeth can spread down this space into the posterior mediastinum, it is often confused with the danger space. The danger space is actually between the alar fascia and the prevertebral fascia and extends from the cranial base above to the level of the diaphragm.

Clinical significance

A midline raphe is present in this space making some infections appear unilateral. However without treatment infections can easily spread from one space to the adjacent space.

If more than half of the size of the C2 vertebra, it may indicate retropharyngeal abscess.

Relations

It is limited above by the base of the skull, and below where the alar fascia fuses with the buccopharyngeal fascia at about the level of T4 and the carina.

Relations of the retropharyngeal space:

• Superior: Base of the skull
• Inferior: Superior mediastinum
• Lateral: Carotid sheath
• Anterior: Buccopharyngeal fascia
• Posterior: Alar fascia

Additional images

• 

  Retropharyngeal abscess

References

This article incorporates text in the public domain from the 20th edition of Gray's Anatomy (1918)

External links

• Anatomy figure: 31:01-04 at Human Anatomy Online, SUNY Downstate Medical Center
• MedEd at Loyola Radio/curriculum/Bones/Image476a.jpg