Retropharyngeal Space
Infections of the retropharyngeal space rs and prevertebral space can result in significant morbidity and mortality.
Retropharyngeal space. The retropharyngeal space between the posterior pharyngeal wall and the prevertebral layer of deep cervical fascia contains loose connective tissue and lymph nodes that drain the nasopharynx paranasal sinuses middle ear teeth and adjacent bones. The danger space is actually between the alar fascia and the prevertebral fascia and extends from the cranial base above to the level of the diaphragm. The retropharyngeal space red is anterior to the vertebrae.
Retropharyngeal abscess rpa is an abscess located in the tissues in the back of the throat behind the posterior pharyngeal wall the retropharyngeal space. Note that both the lymph node and the sympathetic ganglion and plexus sym relate to the lateral extremity of the rs. Together with the lateral pharyngeal space these spaces are termed the parapharyngeal spaces.
Because serious infections of teeth can spread down this space into the posterior mediastinum it is often confused with the danger space. A retropharyngeal abscess is a serious infection deep in the neck generally located in the area behind the throat. The retropharyngeal space is a potential space of the head and neck bounded by the buccopharyngeal fascia anteriorly and the alar fascia posteriorly.
Because rpas typically occur in deep tissue they are difficult to diagnose by physical examination alone. It sits posterior to the buccopharyngeal layer of middle cervical fascia which covers the esophagus and the pharynx and is anterior to the alar fascia. The retropharyngeal space is a potential space which is directly related to the danger space the pharyngeal mucosal space the carotid space and the parapharyngeal space.
It contains the retropharyngeal lymph nodes. Color version of figure is available online. It is indistinguishable from the layers that invest it and the danger space.
This anatomy explains the origin of both nodal and neurogenic processes that might extend into the rs. The retropharyngeal space is a potential space of the head and neck bounded by the buccopharyngeal fascia anteriorly and the alar fascia posteriorly. The retropharyngeal lymph node rpn is within the space.