{"id":2041,"date":"2020-08-31T09:23:13","date_gmt":"2020-08-31T09:23:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/meddists.com\/learn\/pre-clinical\/anatomy\/head-and-neck\/head\/regions\/parapharyngeal-space\/"},"modified":"2023-01-14T12:49:31","modified_gmt":"2023-01-14T10:49:31","slug":"parapharyngeal-space","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/meddists.com\/learn\/pre-clinical\/anatomy\/skull-head-and-neck\/neck\/regions-and-spaces\/parapharyngeal-space\/","title":{"rendered":"Parapharyngeal space"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The parapharyngeal space is a potential space located along the sides (para-) of the pharynx. It is found between the pharyngeal wall, deep muscles of the neck, and the mandible. It contains important structures such as the internal carotid artery, the cranial nerves, and the deep lobe of the parotid gland. It is clinically significant as it is a common site for the spread of tumors and infections.<\/div><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/a>
Figure 1.<\/strong> The parapharyngeal space<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Description<\/h4>\n<\/span>\n\n\n

The parapharyngeal space is a somewhat pyramidal-shaped potential space, with the apex pointing downwards (i.e. an inverted pyramid).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The approach to this space may vary according to your establishment (in terms of borders and contents), and in many medical schools, the parapharyngeal space is usually not a part of the standard curriculum.<\/p>\n\n\n<\/span>\n

Borders<\/h4>\n<\/span>\n\n\n
    \n
  • Anterior<\/strong> \u2014 Buccal fat pad<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Posterior <\/strong>\u2014 Sternocleidomastoid, digastric and styloid muscles (at different levels)<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Lateral <\/strong>\u2014 Medial pterygoid muscle and ramus of the mandible<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Medial<\/strong> \u2014 Pharyngeal wall<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Inferior<\/strong> \u2014 Submandibular triangle (mylohyoid muscle)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n<\/span>\n

    Contents<\/h4>\n<\/span>\n\n\n
      \n
    1. Internal carotid artery<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    2. Internal jugular vein<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    3. Glossopharyngeal nerve<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    4. Vagus nerve<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    5. Hypoglossal nerve<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    6. Spinal accessory nerve<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    7. Superior cervical ganglion of the sympathetic trunk<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n<\/span>\n

      Clinical information<\/h4>\n<\/span>\n\n\n

      The only structure separating the parapharyngeal space from the tonsils is the pharyngeal wall.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        \n
      1. During tonsillectomy (surgical removal of the tonsils), the surgeon must take great care not to cut too deep, as this may result in perforation into the parapharyngeal space and dissection of the internal carotid artery.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
      2. An infection may spread from the tonsils to the parapharyngeal space, and from there to nearby structures with ease.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/span>

        Description<\/h4>

        Borders<\/h4>

        Contents<\/h4>

        Clinical information<\/h4><\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

        Description The parapharyngeal space is a somewhat pyramidal-shaped potential space, with the apex pointing downwards (i.e. an inverted pyramid). The approach to this space may vary according to your establishment (in terms of borders and contents), and in many medical schools, the parapharyngeal space is usually not a part of the standard curriculum. Borders Contents […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":7358,"menu_order":3,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-2041","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"yoast_head":"\nParapharyngeal space – Meddists<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/meddists.com\/learn\/pre-clinical\/anatomy\/skull-head-and-neck\/neck\/regions-and-spaces\/parapharyngeal-space\/\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"2 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" 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