Fascial Spaces of the Neck and Surgical Airway Access in Head and Neck Anatomy
In head and neck anatomy, the deep cervical fascia delineates three clinically significant potential spaces — the pretracheal, retropharyngeal, and prevertebral spaces — bounded by the visceral and vertebral fascial compartments, which serve as anatomical planes along which infection or malignant invasion can spread to adjacent regions such as the mediastinum. This fascial-plane anatomy underlies the theory of surgical airway access, in which specific anatomical landmarks (the cricothyroid membrane, cricoid cartilage, and thyroid gland isthmus) define distinct surgical approaches for establishing an emergency airway when intubation is not possible.
Fascial Spaces of the Neck and Surgical Airway Access in Head and Neck Anatomy
In head and neck anatomy, the deep cervical fascia delineates three clinically significant potential spaces — the pretracheal, retropharyngeal, and prevertebral spaces — bounded by the visceral and v…