Parapharyngeal space
Encyclopedia
The parapharyngeal space (or 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.
of the hyoid bone the apex, inferiorly.
The superior aspect is the base of skull, namely the sphenoid
and temporal bone
s. It includes in this area the jugular and hypoglossal foramen and the foramen lacerum
(through which the internal carotid artery passes superiorly across).
The medial aspect is made up of the pharynx
.
Anteriorly it is bordered by the pterygomandibular raphe
.
Posteriorly it is bordered by the cervical vertebrae and paravertebral muscles.
The lateral aspect is more involved, and is bordered by the ramus of the mandible, the deep lobe of the parotid gland
, the medial pterygoid
muscle, and below the level of the mandible, the lateral aspect is bordered by the fascia of the posterior belly of digastric muscle.
These anatomical boundaries make it continuous with the retropharyngeal space
. It also communicates with other cervical and cranial fascial spaces, as well as the mediastinum
.
to the tensor veli palatini. These two compartments are named the pre-styloid and post-styloid compartments.
.
1. glossopharyngeal nerve (IX) 2. vagus nerve (X) together with 3. internal carotid artery and 4. internal jagular vein in the carotid sheath 5. accessory nerve (XI) 6. hypoglossal (XII) 7. sympathetic trunk and superior cervical ggl of the trunk 8. ascending pharyngeal artery 9. deep cervical lymph nodes
Otolaryngology
Otolaryngology or ENT is the branch of medicine and surgery that specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of ear, nose, throat, and head and neck disorders....
due to parapharyngeal space tumours and parapharyngeal abscess developing in this area.
Anatomical boundaries
The parapharyngeal space is shaped like an inverted pyramid, with the skull base superiorly, and the greater cornuGreater cornu
The greater cornua of the hyoid bone project backward from the lateral borders of the body; they are flattened from above downward and diminish in size from before backward; each ends in a tubercle to which is fixed the lateral hyothyroid ligament.The upper surface is rough close to its lateral...
of the hyoid bone the apex, inferiorly.
The superior aspect is the base of skull, namely the sphenoid
Sphenoid bone
The sphenoid bone is an unpaired bone situated at the base of the skull in front of the temporal bone and basilar part of the occipital bone.The sphenoid bone is one of the seven bones that articulate to form the orbit...
and temporal bone
Temporal bone
The temporal bones are situated at the sides and base of the skull, and lateral to the temporal lobes of the cerebrum.The temporal bone supports that part of the face known as the temple.-Parts:The temporal bone consists of four parts:* Squama temporalis...
s. It includes in this area the jugular and hypoglossal foramen and the foramen lacerum
Foramen lacerum
The foramen lacerum is a triangular hole in the base of the skull located at the base of the medial pterygoid plate.-Transit through the foramen lacerum:...
(through which the internal carotid artery passes superiorly across).
The medial aspect is made up of the pharynx
Pharynx
The human pharynx is the part of the throat situated immediately posterior to the mouth and nasal cavity, and anterior to the esophagus and larynx. The human pharynx is conventionally divided into three sections: the nasopharynx , the oropharynx , and the laryngopharynx...
.
Anteriorly it is bordered by the pterygomandibular raphe
Pterygomandibular raphe
The pterygomandibular raphe is a tendinous band of the buccopharyngeal fascia, attached by one extremity to the hamulus of the medial pterygoid plate, and by the other to the posterior end of the mylohyoid line of the mandible.* Its medial surface is covered by the mucous membrane of the mouth.*...
.
Posteriorly it is bordered by the cervical vertebrae and paravertebral muscles.
The lateral aspect is more involved, and is bordered by the ramus of the mandible, the deep lobe of the parotid gland
Parotid gland
The paired parotid glands are the largest of the salivary glands. They are each found wrapped around the mandibular ramus, and secrete saliva through Stensen's ducts into the oral cavity, to facilitate mastication and swallowing and to begin the digestion of starches.-Location:The parotid glands...
, the medial pterygoid
Medial pterygoid
Medial pterygoid can refer to:* Medial pterygoid muscle* Medial pterygoid plate...
muscle, and below the level of the mandible, the lateral aspect is bordered by the fascia of the posterior belly of digastric muscle.
These anatomical boundaries make it continuous with the retropharyngeal space
Retropharyngeal space
The retropharyngeal space is a space bounded by the buccopharyngeal fascia anteriorly and the alar fascia posteriorly.It includes the retropharyngeal lymph nodes....
. It also communicates with other cervical and cranial fascial spaces, as well as the mediastinum
Mediastinum
The mediastinum is a non-delineated group of structures in the thorax, surrounded by loose connective tissue. It is the central compartment of the thoracic cavity...
.
Divisions
The parapharyngeal space is divided into 2 parts by the fascia joining the styloid processStyloid process
In anatomy, a styloid process , usually serving as points of attachment for muscles, refers to the slender, pointed process of :* temporal bone of the skull - Temporal styloid process...
to the tensor veli palatini. These two compartments are named the pre-styloid and post-styloid compartments.
Components
It includes the maxillary artery and ascending pharyngeal arteryAscending pharyngeal artery
The ascending pharyngeal artery, the smallest branch of the external carotid, is a long, slender vessel, deeply seated in the neck, beneath the other branches of the external carotid and under the Stylopharyngeus...
.
1. glossopharyngeal nerve (IX) 2. vagus nerve (X) together with 3. internal carotid artery and 4. internal jagular vein in the carotid sheath 5. accessory nerve (XI) 6. hypoglossal (XII) 7. sympathetic trunk and superior cervical ggl of the trunk 8. ascending pharyngeal artery 9. deep cervical lymph nodes