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"[1][5] or "retropharyngeal space proper" (part of the RPS situated anterior to the alar fascia),[5][2] and the danger space (part of the RPS situated posterior to the alar fascia).[1][2][5] The danger space is sometimes also lumped together with the true RPS and the whole referred to as the RPS because the alar fascia is an ineffective barrier.[2] Infections from the head and neck can spread down through the danger space into the posterior mediastinum.[2]
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.
Contentsedit
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 relationsedit
Positions of adjacent anatomical structures in relation to the retropharyngeal space are as follows:
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]
This article incorporates text in the public domain from page 390 of the 20th edition ofGray's Anatomy(1918)
^ abcdefghijklmnMnatsakanian A, Minutello K, Bordoni B (2022). "Anatomy, Head and Neck, Retropharyngeal Space". StatPearls. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing. PMID 30725729. Retrieved 2022-07-24.
^ abcdefghijklChong VF, Fan YF (October 2000). "Radiology of the Retropharyngeal Space". Clinical Radiology. 55 (10): 740–748. doi:10.1053/crad.2000.0510. PMID 11052873.
^ abcMorton, David A. (2019). The Big Picture: Gross Anatomy. K. Bo Foreman, Kurt H. Albertine (2nd ed.). New York. p. 266. ISBN978-1-259-86264-9. OCLC 1044772257.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
^Frank G, Shah SS, Catallozzi M, Zaoutis LB (1 June 2005). The Philadelphia guide: inpatient pediatrics. Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. pp. 181–. ISBN978-1-4051-0428-9. Retrieved 26 May 2010.
External linksedit
Anatomy figure: 31:01-04 at Human Anatomy Online, SUNY Downstate Medical Center
retropharyngeal, space, retropharyngeal, space, abbreviated, potential, space, deep, compartment, head, neck, situated, posterior, pharynx, bounded, anteriorly, buccopharyngeal, fascia, posteriorly, alar, fascia, laterally, carotid, sheath, extends, between, b. 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 Retropharyngeal spaceSection of the neck at about the level of the sixth cervical vertebra Showing the arrangement of the deep cervical fasciaSagittal section of nose mouth pharynx and larynxDetailsIdentifiersLatinSpatium retropharyngeumTA98A05 3 01 118TA22884FMA84965Anatomical terminology edit on Wikidata Sources consider the retropharyngeal space to be in principle subdivided into the so called true retropharyngeal space 1 5 or retropharyngeal space proper part of the RPS situated anterior to the alar fascia 5 2 and the danger space part of the RPS situated posterior to the alar fascia 1 2 5 The danger space is sometimes also lumped together with the true RPS and the whole referred to as the RPS because the alar fascia is an ineffective barrier 2 Infections from the head and neck can spread down through the danger space into the posterior mediastinum 2 Contents 1 Anatomy 1 1 Contents 1 2 Anatomical relations 2 Clinical significance 3 Additional images 4 See also 5 References 6 External linksAnatomy editSuperiorly 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 edit 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 edit Positions of adjacent anatomical structures in relation to the retropharyngeal space are as follows Superior Base of the skull 1 6 Inferior Posterior mediastinum 6 Lateral Carotid sheath 1 Anterior Buccopharyngeal fascia 1 Posterior Prevertebral fascia alar fascia true RPS 1 Clinical significance editA 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 edit nbsp Retropharyngeal abscessSee also editParapharyngeal spaceReferences edit nbsp This article incorporates text in the public domain from page 390 of the 20th edition of Gray s Anatomy 1918 a b c d e f g h i j k l m n Mnatsakanian A Minutello K Bordoni B 2022 Anatomy Head and Neck Retropharyngeal Space StatPearls Treasure Island FL StatPearls Publishing PMID 30725729 Retrieved 2022 07 24 a b c d e f g h i j k l Chong VF Fan YF October 2000 Radiology of the Retropharyngeal Space Clinical Radiology 55 10 740 748 doi 10 1053 crad 2000 0510 PMID 11052873 a b c Morton David A 2019 The Big Picture Gross Anatomy K Bo Foreman Kurt H Albertine 2nd ed New York p 266 ISBN 978 1 259 86264 9 OCLC 1044772257 a href Template Cite book html title Template Cite book cite book a CS1 maint location missing publisher link Spatium retropharyngeum TheFreeDictionary com Retrieved 2022 07 24 a b c d e Debnam JM Guha Thakurta N December 2012 Retropharyngeal and prevertebral spaces anatomic imaging and diagnosis Otolaryngologic Clinics of North America 45 6 1293 1310 doi 10 1016 j otc 2012 08 004 PMC 3994542 PMID 23153750 a b Jain H Knorr TL Sinha V 2022 Retropharyngeal Abscess Treasure Island FL StatPearls Publishing PMID 28722903 Retrieved 2022 07 24 a href Template Cite book html title Template Cite book cite book a work ignored help Frank G Shah SS Catallozzi M Zaoutis LB 1 June 2005 The Philadelphia guide inpatient pediatrics Lippincott Williams amp Wilkins pp 181 ISBN 978 1 4051 0428 9 Retrieved 26 May 2010 External links editAnatomy figure 31 01 04 at Human Anatomy Online SUNY Downstate Medical Center MedEd at Loyola Radio curriculum Bones Image476a jpg Portal nbsp Anatomy Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Retropharyngeal space amp oldid 1208761087, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
