Human Anatomy Part 1 - K. A. Dyubenko, A. K. Kolomiysev, Yu. B. Chaykovsky 2002

Special Part
Myology, myologia [the study of muscles] — Muscles and Fascia of the Neck
Interfascial spaces of the neck

Several interfascial spaces of applied clinical significance are identified in the neck region, as they can serve pathways for the spread of infection during inflammatory processes in the neck.

1. Suprasternal interaponeurotic space, spatium interaponeuroticum suprastemale — located above the jugular notch of the manubrium of the Sternum between the superficial and deep layers of the proper Fascia of the neck. This space contains loose Connective Tissue and the jugular venous arch, arcus venosus juguli, which serves as an anastomosis between the anterior jugular Veins. Due to the Abundance of loose cellular tissue, inflammatory processes here progress rapidly, a condition referred to as the "inflammatory collar".

2. Previsceral or pretracheal space, spatium previscerale s. spatium pretracheale — located in the frontal plane between the parietal and visceral layers of the fourth fascia. It extends from the manubrium of the sternum to the Hyoid bone, and inferiorly communicates freely with the anterior Mediastinum. The space is bounded: anteriorly by the sternohyoid and sternothyroid Muscles; posteriorly by the Larynx and Trachea; and laterally by the sheaths of the neurovascular bundles. The adipose tissue of this space contains Lymphatic vessels and nodes, a. thyreoidea ima et plexus thyroideus impar, and the isthmus of The Thyroid Gland. In deep phlegmons of this space, the infection can easily descend into the anterior mediastinum and cause its inflammation (anterior mediastinitis).

3. Retrovisceral space, spatium retroviscerale — bounded by the parietal layer of the fourth fascia and the prevertebral fascia. It has a slit-like shape, extends from the Base of the Skull to the posterior mediastinum with which it communicates, and superiorly continues into the retropharyngeal space, spatium retropharyngeale. The space is filled with connective tissue that is continuous with the cellular tissue of the posterior mediastinum. In cases of esophageal injuries or damage to its wall by a foreign body, infection penetrates into the spatium retroviscerale and can descend into the posterior mediastinum, causing its inflammation, mediastinitis.