The alar fascia a portion of
prevertebral fascia
The prevertebral fascia (also known as prevertebral layer of cervical fascia or vertebral fascia) is the layer of deep cervical fascia that surrounds the vertebral column. It is the deepest layer of deep cervical fascia.
It encloses the sympathet ...
that may or may not be considered a distinct anatomical structure.
When acknowledged, it is described as anterior to the prevertebral fascia.
Anatomy
Superiorly, it extends to the base of the skull; inferiorly, it extends to the second
thoracic vertebra
In vertebrates, thoracic vertebrae compose the middle segment of the vertebral column, between the cervical vertebrae and the lumbar vertebrae. In humans, there are twelve thoracic vertebra (anatomy), vertebrae of intermediate size between the ce ...
. Inferiorly, it unites with the visceral fascia of the neck.
Anatomical relations
The alar fascia represents the posterior boundary of the
retropharyngeal space
The retropharyngeal space (abbreviated as "RPS") is a potential space and deep compartment of the head and neck situated posterior to the pharynx. The RPS is bounded anteriorly by the buccopharyngeal fascia, posteriorly by the alar fascia, and l ...
.
Research
In 2015, the anatomy of the alar fascia was revisited using dissection in conjunction with E12
plastination. The authors revealed that the alar fascia originated as a well defined midline structure at the level of C1 and does not reach the base of the skull. It is suggested that the area between C1 and the base of the skull is a potential entry into the
danger space.
See also
*
Retrovisceral space
References
Fascial spaces of the head and neck
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