Deep cervical fascia
Encyclopedia
The deep cervical fascia (or fascia colli in older texts) lies under cover of the Platysma, and invests the neck; it also forms sheaths for the carotid vessels, and for the structures situated in front of the vertebral column
. Its attachment to the hyoid bone
prevents the formation of a dewlap
.
The investing portion of the fascia is attached behind to the ligamentum nuchæ and to the spinous process of the seventh cervical vertebra.
The alar fascia is a portion of the deep cervical fascia.
, to the mastoid process
of the temporal bone
, and to the whole length of the inferior border of the body of the mandible.
Opposite the angle of the mandible
the fascia is very strong, and binds the anterior edge of the Sternocleidomastoideus firmly to that bone.
Between the mandible and the mastoid process it ensheathes the parotid gland
—the layer which covers the gland extends upward under the name of the parotideomasseteric fascia and is fixed to the zygomatic arch
.
From the part which passes under the parotid gland a strong band extends upward to the styloid process
, forming the stylomandibular ligament.
Two other bands may be defined: the sphenomandibular and the pterygospinous ligaments.
The pterygospinous ligament stretches from the upper part of the posterior border of the lateral pterygoid plate
to the spinous process of the sphenoid.
It occasionally ossifies, and in such cases, between its upper border and the base of the skull, a foramen is formed which transmits the branches of the mandibular nerve to the muscles of mastication
.
, and the manubrium sterni.
Some little distance above the last it splits into two layers, superficial and deep.
The former is attached to the anterior border of the manubrium, the latter to its posterior border and to the interclavicular ligament.
Between these two layers is a slit-like interval, the suprasternal space (space of Burns); it contains a small quantity of areolar tissue, the lower portions of the anterior jugular veins and their transverse connecting branch, the sternal heads of the Sternocleidomastoidei, and sometimes a lymph gland.
Vertebral column
In human anatomy, the vertebral column is a column usually consisting of 24 articulating vertebrae, and 9 fused vertebrae in the sacrum and the coccyx. It is situated in the dorsal aspect of the torso, separated by intervertebral discs...
. Its attachment to the hyoid bone
Hyoid bone
The hyoid bone is a horseshoe-shaped bone situated in the anterior midline of the neck between the chin and the thyroid cartilage. At rest, it lies at the level of the base of the mandible in the front and the third cervical vertebra behind.Unlike other bones, the hyoid is only distantly...
prevents the formation of a dewlap
Dewlap
A dewlap is a longitudinal flap of skin that hangs beneath the lower jaw or neck of many vertebrates. While the term is usually used in this specific context, it can also be used to include other structures occurring in the same body area with a similar aspect, such as those caused by a double...
.
The investing portion of the fascia is attached behind to the ligamentum nuchæ and to the spinous process of the seventh cervical vertebra.
The alar fascia is a portion of the deep cervical fascia.
Superior attachments and relations
Above, the fascia is attached to the superior nuchal line of the occipital boneOccipital bone
The occipital bone, a saucer-shaped membrane bone situated at the back and lower part of the cranium, is trapezoidal in shape and curved on itself...
, to the mastoid process
Mastoid process
The mastoid process is a conical prominence projecting from the undersurface of the mastoid portion of the temporal bone. It is located just behind the external acoustic meatus, and lateral to the styloid process...
of the temporal bone
Temporal bone
The temporal bones are situated at the sides and base of the skull, and lateral to the temporal lobes of the cerebrum.The temporal bone supports that part of the face known as the temple.-Parts:The temporal bone consists of four parts:* Squama temporalis...
, and to the whole length of the inferior border of the body of the mandible.
Opposite the angle of the mandible
Angle of the mandible
At the junction of the lower border of the ramus of the mandible with the posterior border is the angle of the mandible, which may be either inverted or everted and is marked by rough, oblique ridges on each side, for the attachment of the Masseter laterally, and the Pterygoideus internus medially;...
the fascia is very strong, and binds the anterior edge of the Sternocleidomastoideus firmly to that bone.
Between the mandible and the mastoid process it ensheathes the parotid gland
Parotid gland
The paired parotid glands are the largest of the salivary glands. They are each found wrapped around the mandibular ramus, and secrete saliva through Stensen's ducts into the oral cavity, to facilitate mastication and swallowing and to begin the digestion of starches.-Location:The parotid glands...
—the layer which covers the gland extends upward under the name of the parotideomasseteric fascia and is fixed to the zygomatic arch
Zygomatic arch
The zygomatic arch or cheek bone is formed by the zygomatic process of temporal bone and the temporal process of the zygomatic bone , the two being united by an oblique suture; the tendon of the Temporalis passes medial to the arch to gain insertion into the coronoid process...
.
From the part which passes under the parotid gland a strong band extends upward to the styloid process
Styloid process
In anatomy, a styloid process , usually serving as points of attachment for muscles, refers to the slender, pointed process of :* temporal bone of the skull - Temporal styloid process...
, forming the stylomandibular ligament.
Two other bands may be defined: the sphenomandibular and the pterygospinous ligaments.
The pterygospinous ligament stretches from the upper part of the posterior border of the lateral pterygoid plate
Lateral pterygoid plate
The lateral pterygoid plate of the sphenoid is broad, thin, and everted; its lateral surface forms part of the medial wall of the infratemporal fossa, and gives attachment to the lateral pterygoid muscle; its medial surface forms part of the pterygoid fossa, and gives attachment to the medial...
to the spinous process of the sphenoid.
It occasionally ossifies, and in such cases, between its upper border and the base of the skull, a foramen is formed which transmits the branches of the mandibular nerve to the muscles of mastication
Mastication
Mastication or chewing is the process by which food is crushed and ground by teeth. It is the first step of digestion and it increases the surface area of foods to allow more efficient break down by enzymes. During the mastication process, the food is positioned between the teeth for grinding by...
.
Inferior attachments and relations
Below, the fascia is attached to the acromion, the clavicleClavicle
In human anatomy, the clavicle or collar bone is a long bone of short length that serves as a strut between the scapula and the sternum. It is the only long bone in body that lies horizontally...
, and the manubrium sterni.
Some little distance above the last it splits into two layers, superficial and deep.
The former is attached to the anterior border of the manubrium, the latter to its posterior border and to the interclavicular ligament.
Between these two layers is a slit-like interval, the suprasternal space (space of Burns); it contains a small quantity of areolar tissue, the lower portions of the anterior jugular veins and their transverse connecting branch, the sternal heads of the Sternocleidomastoidei, and sometimes a lymph gland.
Processes
The fascia which lines the deep surface of the Sternocleidomastoideus gives off the following processes:- A process envelops the tendon at the Omohyoideus, and binds it down to the sternum and first costal cartilage.
- A strong sheath, the carotid sheathCarotid sheathThe carotid sheath is an anatomical term for the fibrous connective tissue that surrounds the vascular compartment of the neck. It is part of the deep cervical fascia of the neck, below the superficial cervical fascia meaning the subcutaneous adipose tissue immediately beneath the skin.The deep...
, encloses the carotid arteryCarotid arteryCarotid artery can refer to:* Common carotid artery* External carotid artery* Internal carotid artery...
, internal jugular veinInternal jugular veinThe two internal jugular veins collect the blood from the brain, the superficial parts of the face, and the neck.-Path:On both sides and at the base of the brain, the inferior petrosal sinus and the sigmoid sinus join to form the internal jugular vein...
, and vagus nerveVagus nerveThe vagus nerve , also called pneumogastric nerve or cranial nerve X, is the tenth of twelve paired cranial nerves...
.
- The prevertebral fasciaPrevertebral fasciaThe prevertebral fascia is a fascia in the neck.-Variations:In some literature, the prevertebral fascia also includes the rest of the fascia extending around the vertebral column and enclosing all muscles laterally and posteriorly to it...
extends medialward behind the carotid vessels, where it assists in forming their sheath, and passes in front of the prevertebral muscles.
- The pretracheal fasciaPretracheal fasciaThe pretracheal fascia extends medially in front of the carotid vessels, and assists in forming the carotid sheath.It is continued behind the depressor muscles of the hyoid bone, and, after enveloping the thyroid gland, is prolonged in front of the trachea to meet the corresponding layer of the...
extends medially in front of the carotid vessels, and assists in forming the carotid sheathCarotid sheathThe carotid sheath is an anatomical term for the fibrous connective tissue that surrounds the vascular compartment of the neck. It is part of the deep cervical fascia of the neck, below the superficial cervical fascia meaning the subcutaneous adipose tissue immediately beneath the skin.The deep...
.