The prevertebral space is a space in the neck. On one side it is bounded by the

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 ...

. On the other side, some sources define it as bounded by the vertebral bodies, and others define it as bounded by the longus colli. It includes the prevertebral muscles ( longus colli and

longus capitis The longus capitis muscle (Latin for ''long muscle of the head'', alternatively rectus capitis anticus major) is broad and thick above, narrow below, and arises by four tendinous slips, from the anterior tubercles of the transverse processes of th ...

vertebral artery The vertebral arteries are major artery, arteries of the neck. Typically, the vertebral arteries originate from the subclavian arteries. Each vessel courses superiorly along each side of the neck, merging within the skull to form the single, m ...

vertebral vein The vertebral vein is formed in the suboccipital triangle, from numerous small tributaries which spring from the internal vertebral venous plexuses and issue from the vertebral canal above the posterior arch of the atlas. They unite with small ...

, scalene muscles,

phrenic nerve The phrenic nerve is a mixed nerve that originates from the C3–C5 spinal nerves in the neck. The nerve is important for breathing because it provides exclusive motor control of the diaphragm, the primary muscle of respiration. In humans, t ...

and part of the

brachial plexus The brachial plexus is a network of nerves (nerve plexus) formed by the anterior rami of the lower four Spinal nerve#Cervical nerves, cervical nerves and first Spinal nerve#Thoracic nerves, thoracic nerve (cervical spinal nerve 5, C5, Cervical spi ...

. In trauma, an increased thickness of the prevertebral space is a sign of injury, and can be measured with

medical imaging Medical imaging is the technique and process of imaging the interior of a body for clinical analysis and medical intervention, as well as visual representation of the function of some organs or tissues (physiology). Medical imaging seeks to revea ...

Clinical significance

On plain radiography, prevertebral space should be less than 6 mm at C3 vertebral level in children; while in adults, the space should be less than 6 mm at C2 level and less than 22 mm at C6 level. Causes of enlarged prevertebral space could be edema, hematoma, abscess, tumors, and post surgical changes. File:CT of prevertebral space.jpg,

CT scan A computed tomography scan (CT scan), formerly called computed axial tomography scan (CAT scan), is a medical imaging technique used to obtain detailed internal images of the body. The personnel that perform CT scans are called radiographers or ...

with upper limits of the thickness of the prevertebral space at different levels.

References

Human head and neck {{anatomy-stub