What is parotid space?

What is parotid space?

The parotid space is a roughly pyramidal space, the broad elongated base facing laterally, formed by cervical fascia overlying the superficial lobe of the parotid gland, and its apex pointing medially.It is traversed by the external carotid artery, retro-mandibular vein and facial nerve.

What structures are in the parapharyngeal space?

The parapharyngeal space can be subdivided into compartments by a line extending from the medial aspect of the medial pterygoid plate to the styloid process. The internal maxillary artery, inferior alveolar nerve, lingual nerve, and auriculotemporal nerve comprise the anterior (ie, prestyloid) compartment.

Where is the pharyngeal space?

upper neck
The parapharyngeal space (or lateral pharyngeal or pharyngomaxillary space) is in the upper neck above the hyoid bone. It is an inverted cone-shaped potential space that extends from the hyoid bone to the base of the skull.

What is parapharyngeal space Mass?

Introduction. The parapharyngeal space (PPS) is a complex anatomic space that is commonly described as an inverted pyramid, with the temporal bone located at the base and the hyoid bone at the apex [1]. PPS masses are rare, accounting for approximately 0.5% of head and neck tumors [2].

Where is the parotid space located?

The parotid space is a roughly pyramidal space, the broad elongated base facing laterally, formed by the superficial layer of the deep cervical fascia overlying the superficial lobe of the parotid gland, and its apex pointing medially.

Where is parotid located?

The parotid glands are two salivary glands that sit just in front of the ears on each side of the face. Salivary glands produce saliva to aid in chewing and digesting food. There are many salivary glands in the lips, cheeks, mouth and throat.

What divides parapharyngeal space?

Divisions. The parapharyngeal space is divided into 2 parts by the fascial condensation called the aponeurosis of Zuckerkandl and Testut (stylopharyngeal fascia – see diagram), joining the styloid process to the tensor veli palatini.

Which nerve passes through parapharyngeal space?

Several cranial nerves also run though the parapharyngeal space, including the glossopharyngeal, vagus, accessory, and hypoglossal nerves. The relationship of these nerves to the other structures in the parapharyngeal space is important for avoiding injury to these structures.

What does pharyngeal space mean?

The parapharyngeal space (also termed the lateral pharyngeal space), is a potential space in the head and the neck. It has clinical importance in otolaryngology due to parapharyngeal space tumours and parapharyngeal abscess developing in this area.

What is in the Alar space?

The danger space or alar space, is a region of the neck. The common name originates from the risk that an infection in this space can spread directly to the thorax, and, due to being a space continuous on the left and right, can furthermore allow infection to spread easily to either side.

Where is parapharyngeal?

The parapharyngeal space, also known as the prestyloid parapharyngeal space, is a deep compartment of the head and neck around which most other suprahyoid fascial spaces are arranged.

What are the parts of parotid gland?

The borders of the parotid gland are as follows: Superiorly by the zygomatic arch. Posterosuperiorly by the external acoustic meatus and the ramus of the mandible. Posteroinferiorly by the mastoid process and distal part of the mastoid head of sternocleidomastoid muscle.

What is the structure of parotid gland?

The parotid glands are the largest salivary glands. They are located just in front of the ears. The saliva produced in these glands is secreted into the mouth from a duct near your upper second molar. Each parotid gland has two parts, or lobes: the superficial lobe and the deep lobe.

What is Wharton’s duct?

Wharton’s duct is a thin tube, about 5 cm in length, and an essential carrier of your saliva. Each submandibular duct begins at the right and left sides of the mouth. The submandibular duct openings are underneath the tongue. These openings that empty into the oral cavity are also known as sublingual caruncles.

What is parotid gland and its function?

The parotid glands are the largest of the three pairs of major salivary glands. When you eat, it isn’t just your teeth and jaw that help process your food. Saliva helps to breaks down the food you eat, move it down the throat, and protect you from infections.

Why is it called the danger space?

What is the visceral space?

The visceral space is a neck area spanning from the hyoid bone level to the mediastinum, within the middle layer of the deep cervical fascia, and containing the thyroid and parathyroid glands, hypopharynx, larynx, trachea, oesophagus and paraesophageal lymph nodes.

What is Pretracheal space?

The pretracheal (ie, anterior visceral) space is enclosed by the visceral division of the middle layer of the deep cervical fascia and lies immediately anterior to the trachea. It extends from the thyroid cartilage to the superior mediastinum.

What is the danger space?

The danger space is a deep compartment of the head and neck located behind the true retropharyngeal space, extending from the skull base to the mediastinum.

What is alar fascia?

Conclusion: The alar fascia is an independent and constant coronal fascial layer between the carotid sheaths. It contains neurovasculature and may limit the spread of retropharyngeal infections into the thorax as well as facilitate normal physiological functions of the cervical viscera.