Superficial cervical fascia

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The superficial cervical fascia is a thin layer of subcutaneous connective tissue that lies between the dermis of the skin and the deep cervical fascia. [1] It contains the platysma, cutaneous nerves [1] [2] from the cervical plexus, [2] blood vessels, and lymphatic vessels. [1] [2] It also contains a varying amount of fat, which is its distinguishing characteristic. It is considered by some to be a part of the panniculus adiposus, and not true fascia. [1]

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fascia</span> Layer of connective tissue in the body

A fascia is a generic term for macroscopic membranous bodily structures. Fasciae are classified as superficial, visceral or deep, and further designated according to their anatomical location.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Omohyoid muscle</span> Human neck muscle

The omohyoid muscle is a muscle in the neck. It is one of the infrahyoid muscles. It consists of two bellies separated by an intermediate tendon. Its inferior belly is attached to the scapula; its superior belly is attached to the hyoid bone. Its intermediate tendon is anchored to the clavicle and first rib by a fascial sling. The omohyoid is innervated by the ansa cervicalis of the cervical plexus. It acts to depress the hyoid bone.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Platysma muscle</span> Human neck muscle

The platysma muscle is a superficial muscle of the human neck that overlaps the sternocleidomastoid. It covers the anterior surface of the neck superficially. When it contracts, it produces a slight wrinkling of the neck, and a "bowstring" effect on either side of the neck.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Common carotid artery</span> One of the two arteries that supply the head and neck with blood

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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Carotid sheath</span>

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 panniculus adiposus is the fatty layer of the subcutaneous tissues, superficial to a deeper vestigial layer of muscle, the panniculus carnosus.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Retropharyngeal space</span> Potential space in 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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Deep cervical fascia</span>

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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Clavipectoral fascia</span>

The clavipectoral fascia is a strong fascia situated under cover of the clavicular portion of the pectoralis major.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Masseteric fascia</span>

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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Submandibular triangle</span>

The submandibular triangle corresponds to the region of the neck immediately beneath the body of the mandible.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cardinal ligament</span> Major ligament of the uterus

The cardinal ligament is a major ligament of the uterus formed as a thickening of connective tissue of the base of the broad ligament of the uterus. It extends laterally from the cervix and vaginal fornix to attach onto the lateral wall of the pelvis. The female ureter, uterine artery, and inferior hypogastric (nervous) plexus course within the cardinal ligament. The cardinal ligament supports the uterus.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Prevertebral fascia</span> Layer of deep cervical fascia that surrounds the vertebral column

The prevertebral fascia is the layer of deep cervical fascia that surrounds the vertebral column. It is the deepest layer of deep cervical fascia.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Investing layer of deep cervical fascia</span>

The investing layer of deep cervical fascia is the most superficial part of the deep cervical fascia, and encloses the whole neck.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pretracheal fascia</span>

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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Parapharyngeal space</span>

The parapharyngeal 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. It is also a key anatomic landmark for localizing disease processes in the surrounding spaces of the neck; the direction of its displacement indirectly reflects the site of origin for masses or infection in adjacent areas, and consequently their appropriate differential diagnosis.

Fascial spaces are potential spaces that exist between the fasciae and underlying organs and other tissues. In health, these spaces do not exist; they are only created by pathology, e.g. the spread of pus or cellulitis in an infection. The fascial spaces can also be opened during the dissection of a cadaver. The fascial spaces are different from the fasciae themselves, which are bands of connective tissue that surround structures, e.g. muscles. The opening of fascial spaces may be facilitated by pathogenic bacterial release of enzymes which cause tissue lysis. The spaces filled with loose areolar connective tissue may also be termed clefts. Other contents such as salivary glands, blood vessels, nerves and lymph nodes are dependent upon the location of the space. Those containing neurovascular tissue may also be termed compartments.

The parotid fascia is a tough fascia enclosing the parotid gland. It has a superficial layer and a deep layer.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Vaginal support structures</span> Structures that maintain the position of the vagina within the pelvic cavity

The vaginal support structures are those muscles, bones, ligaments, tendons, membranes and fascia, of the pelvic floor that maintain the position of the vagina within the pelvic cavity and allow the normal functioning of the vagina and other reproductive structures in the female. Defects or injuries to these support structures in the pelvic floor leads to pelvic organ prolapse. Anatomical and congenital variations of vaginal support structures can predispose a woman to further dysfunction and prolapse later in life. The urethra is part of the anterior wall of the vagina and damage to the support structures there can lead to incontinence and urinary retention.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 Bailey, Byron J.; Johnson, Jonas T.; D. Newlands, Shawn; Calhoun, Karen S.; W Deskin, Ronald (2006). Head neck surgery--otolaryngology . Philadelphia, PA: Lippincott Williams Wilkins. pp.  666. ISBN   0-7817-5561-1.
  2. 1 2 3 Morton, David A. (2019). The Big Picture: Gross Anatomy. K. Bo Foreman, Kurt H. Albertine (2nd ed.). New York. p. 266. ISBN   978-1-259-86264-9. OCLC   1044772257.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)