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| Cervical fascia | |
|---|---|
| Details | |
| Identifiers | |
| Latin | fascia cervicalis; fascia colli |
| TA98 | A04.2.05.001 |
| TA2 | 2206 |
| FMA | 76866 |
| Anatomical terminology | |
The cervical fascia is fascia found in the region of the neck.
It usually refers to the deep cervical fascia. However, there is also a superficial cervical fascia. [1]
The lesser occipital nerve is a cutaneous spinal nerve of the cervical plexus. It arises from second cervical (spinal) nerve (C2). It innervates the skin of the back of the upper neck and of the scalp posterior to the ear.
A fascia is a generic term for macroscopic membranous bodily structures. Fasciae are classified as superficial, deep, visceral, and parietal, and further designated according to their anatomical location.
Superficial muscular aponeurotic system (SMAS) is a thin yet though unitary tissue plane of the face formed by facial fasciae, subcutis connective tissue, and facial muscles. Its composition varies, containing muscle fibres in some areas, and fibrous or fibroaponeurotic tissue in others. It connects to the dermis via vertical septa. It does not attach to bone. In most areas, a distinct plane can be defined deep to the SMAS.
The external jugular vein receives the greater part of the blood from the exterior of the cranium and the deep parts of the face, being formed by the junction of the posterior division of the retromandibular vein with the posterior auricular vein.
The stellate ganglion is a sympathetic ganglion formed by the fusion of the inferior cervical ganglion and the first thoracic ganglion, which is present in 80% of individuals. Sometimes, the second and the third thoracic ganglia are included in this fusion.
In anatomy, the left and right common carotid arteries (carotids) are arteries that supply the head and neck with oxygenated blood; they divide in the neck to form the external and internal carotid arteries.
The stylopharyngeus muscle is a muscle in the head. It originates from the temporal styloid process. Some of its fibres insert onto the thyroid cartilage, while others end by intermingling with proximal structures. It is innervated by the glossopharyngeal nerve. It acts to elevate the larynx and pharynx, and dilate the pharynx, thus facilitating swallowing.
The carotid sheath is a condensation of the deep cervical fascia enveloping multiple vital neurovascular structures of the neck, including the common and internal carotid arteries, the internal jugular vein, the vagus nerve, and ansa cervicalis. The carotid sheath helps protects the structures contained therein.
The posterior triangle is a region of the neck.
The internal carotid plexus is a nerve plexus situated upon the lateral side of the internal carotid artery. It is composed of post-ganglionic sympathetic fibres which have synapsed at the superior cervical ganglion. The plexus gives rise to the deep petrosal nerve.
The transverse cervical nerve is a cutaneous (sensory) nerve of the cervical plexus that arises from the second and third cervical spinal nerves (C2-C3). It curves around the posterior border of the sternocleidomastoideus muscle, then pierces the fascia of the neck before dividing into two branches. It provides sensory innervation to the front of the neck.
The retropharyngeal space is a potential space and deep compartment of the head and neck situated posterior to the pharynx. The RPS is bounded anteriorly by the buccopharyngeal fascia, posteriorly by the alar fascia, and laterally by the carotid sheath. It extends between the base of the skull superiorly, and the mediastinum inferiorly. It contains the retropharyngeal lymph nodes. Its function is to facilitate movements in the superoinferior axis of the larynx, pharynx, and esophagus in relation to the cervical spine.
The deep cervical fascia lies under cover of the platysma, and invests the muscles of the neck; it also forms sheaths for the carotid vessels, and for the structures situated in front of the vertebral column. Its attachment to the hyoid bone prevents the formation of a dewlap.
The deep petrosal nerve is a post-ganglionic branch of the (sympathetic) internal carotid (nervous) plexus that enters the cranial cavity through the carotid canal, then passes perpendicular to the carotid canal in the cartilaginous substance which fills the foramen lacerum to unite with the (parasympathetic) greater petrosal nerve to form the nerve of pterygoid canal.
The masseteric fascia and parotideomasseteric fascia are fascias of the head varyingly described depending upon the source consulted. They may or may not be described as one and the same structure.
The submandibular triangle corresponds to the region of the neck immediately beneath the body of the mandible.
The prevertebral fascia is the layer of deep cervical fascia that surrounds the vertebral column. It is the deepest layer of deep cervical fascia.
The investing layer of deep cervical fascia is the most superficial part of the deep cervical fascia, and encloses the whole neck.
The pretracheal fascia is a layer of the deep cervical fascia at the front of the neck. It attaches to the hyoid bone above, and - extending down into the thorax - blends with the fibrous pericardium below. It encloses the thyroid gland and parathyroid glands, trachea, and esophagus. It extends medially in front of the carotid vessels. It assists in forming the carotid sheath.
The temporoparietal fascia is a superficial fascia of the side of the head over the area of the temporal fossa situated superficial to the (deep) temporal fascia, and deep to the skin and subcutaneous tissue of the region.
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