Retropharyngeal space

Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
Retropharyngeal space
Sagittal section of nose, mouth, pharynx and larynx
Details
Identifiers
Latinspatium retropharyngeum
TA98A05.3.01.118
TA22884
FMA84965
Anatomical terminology]

The retropharyngeal space (abbreviated as "RPS"[1][2]) is a potential space[2][3] and deep compartment of the head and neck[1] situated posterior to the pharynx.[4] 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.[1] It contains the retropharyngeal lymph nodes.[2] Its function is to facilitate movements in the superoinferior axis of the larynx, pharynx, and esophagus in relation to the cervical spine.[3]

Sources consider the retropharyngeal space to be in principle subdivided into the so-called "true retropharyngeal space"

posterior mediastinum.[2]

Anatomy

Superiorly, the retropharyngeal space terminates at the base of the

skull (more specifically, at the clivus[2]).[1][5] Inferiorly, the true RPS terminates at a variable level along the upper thoracic spine with the fusion of alar fascia and visceral fascia;[1] sources either give the inferior termination of the true RPS as occurring at approximately the vertebral level of T4[2] or at a variable level anywhere between the T1-T6.[1][5] The danger space component of the RPS meanwhile extends further inferiorly, entering the posterior mediastinum to reach the level of the diaphragm.[1] The retropharyngeal space drains into the superior mediastinum, whereas the danger space
drains into the posterior mediastinum.

Contents

The retropharyngeal space contains the retropharyngeal lymph nodes,[2] adipose tissue, and loose connective tissue.[3] The suprahyoid portion of the RPS contains the lymph nodes as well as adipose tissue, while the infrahyoid portion contains adipose tissue only.[1]

A midline raphe is sometimes present in the RPS, subdividing it into a left half and a right half.[2]

Anatomical relations

Positions of adjacent anatomical structures in relation to the retropharyngeal space are as follows:

Clinical significance

A midline raphe may be present in this the RPS,[2] making some infections appear unilateral. However without treatment infections can easily spread from one space to the adjacent space.[citation needed]

If more than half of the size of the C2 vertebra, it may indicate retropharyngeal abscess.[7]

Additional images

See also

References

Public domain This article incorporates text in the public domain from page 390 of the 20th edition of Gray's Anatomy (1918)

  1. ^
    PMID 30725729
    . Retrieved 2022-07-24.
  2. ^
    PMID 11052873
    .
  3. ^
    OCLC 1044772257.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link
    )
  4. ^ "Spatium retropharyngeum". TheFreeDictionary.com. Retrieved 2022-07-24.
  5. ^
    PMID 23153750
    .
  6. ^
    PMID 28722903. Retrieved 2022-07-24. {{cite book}}: |work= ignored (help
    )
  7. ISBN 978-1-4051-0428-9
    . Retrieved 26 May 2010.

External links
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