Deep Cervical Fascia
Consists of 3 fascial layers: Investing, Pretracheal, and Pre-Vertebral
Limits the spread of abscesses
Afford slipperiness that allows structures in the neck to move and pass over one another without difficulty (during swallowing)
Supports thyroid gland, muscles, vessels, deep lymph nodes
Condenses to form Carotid Sheath
- Tubular space created, extending from the base of the skull to the root of the neck
- Anterior to cervical sympathetic trunk which lies on longus colli and longus capitis muscles in front of cervical vertebrae.
- Anterolateral wall is composed of the Investing Layer deep to SCM, and Pretracheal Layers
- Blends posteriorly and medially with the Prevertebral Layer of cervical fascia** (Sympathetic trunk lies posterior and intervenes between the sheath and the prevertebral fascia)
Contains the:
- Common and internal carotid arteries
- Internal Jugular vein
- Vagus nerve (CN X)
- Deep cervical lymph nodes
- Carotid sinus nerve
- Sympathetic fibers
- Sheath is extremely strong which prevents easy compression. Therefore a problem in the carotid sheath can crush the internal jugular vein and vagus nerve