Carotid Space

• The carotid space:
  • Is one of the seven deep compartments of the head and neck
• Gross anatomy:
  • The carotid space is a roughly a cylindrical space:
    • That extends from the skull base through to the aortic arch
  • It is circumscribed by all three layers of:
    • The deep cervical fascia:
      • Forming the carotid sheath:
        • Above the carotid bifurcation:
          • The contribution of the middle layer of cervical fascia:
            • Can be inconsistent and the sheath is interrupted
  • The bifurcation of the common carotid:
    • Usually occurs at the boundary of:
      • The suprahyoid and infrahyoid spaces
• Contents:
  • Common carotid artery:
    • Inferiorly
  • Internal carotid artery:
    • Superiorly
  • Internal jugular vein
  • Ansa cervicalis:
    • Embedded in the anterior wall of the sheath
  • Nerves:
    • Vagus nerve (CN X):
      • Posterior to the vessels:
        • In the posterior notch:
          • Extends below the hyoid to the mediastinum:
            • Within the carotid sheath
    • In the upper part of the carotid sheath, there is also:
      • Glossopharyngeal nerve (CN IX):
        • Anterior to vessels
      • Accessory nerve (CN XI)
      • Hypoglossal nerve (CN XII)
    • Sympathetic nerves:
      • Medial to the vessels and
      • Lateral to retropharyngeal space
  • Deep cervical lymph node chain:
    • Level II, III, IV
• Relations:
  • Suprahyoid carotid space:
    • Superiorly:
      • Masticator space and
      • Para pharyngeal space
    • Laterally:
      • Parotid space
    • Posteriorly:
      • Peri vertebral space
  • The suprahyoid portion of the carotid space:
    • Is often synonymous with:
      • The post-styloid compartment of the parapharyngeal space
  • Infrahyoid carotid space:
    • Anteriorly:
      • Anterior cervical space
    • Laterally:
      • Posterior cervical space
    • Posteriorly:
      • Perivertebral space
    • Medially:
      • Retropharyngeal and visceral space
• Boundaries:
  • Superior margin:
    • Lower border of jugular foramen
  • Inferior margin:
    • Aortic arch
  • Anterolateral margin:
    • Sternocleidomastoid muscle

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