THE _ARRA:NG_mJYLE1JNT, OF 'l'BE DEEP CERVICAl FASCIA By E. S. MEYI<jRS, lVLB. Senior Honorar-y Lecturer (Sydney), F.RA.C.S., S-urgeon, Brisbane Hospita-l; in Anatomy, Unive?'sity of Q�wensland; AND R K. MACPIJJ<jRSON, lVI.Sc. Sen-ior (Queensland), Dmnonstrator, Department of Biology, Un-iversity of Q!t- eenslanil. [Reprinted from 1'he Medical Jrn1-rnal of fhistralia, November pagL; 12, 10B8, 813.1 Fryer QLBOl .us V.l no.l (Reprinted from '!'he November Mcdica.l Jou,rnal of A_ustralia., 1�. 1938, page 813.) THI<J ARRANGI•}MEN'l' OF THI<J DEEP UERVIC'�\L FASCIA. By K H. MEYERS, M.B. ( Sydney), F.R.A.C.S., Senior Honorary S�trgeon, Brisbane Hospital; Lecturer in A_natom.y, University o.f Queensland; AND R. K. MACPHERSON, M.Sc. (Queensland), Senior Demonstrator, Department of Univ e'fsity of Queensland. Biology, SYDNEY AUSTRALASIAN MEDICAL PUBLISHING CO., LTD. SEAMER STREET, GLEBE 1939 THE AHRANGRMENT OF 'l'Hl<J DEI<JP CEHVICAL FASCIA. By E. S. MEYERS, M.B. (Sydney), F.R.A.C.S., Senior Honorary B-urgeon, Brisbane Hospital.; Lecturer in Anatomy, Univenity of Queensland; AND H. K. MACPHIDilSON, M.Sc. (Queensland), 8enior VemonstratoT, Department UnfveTsity of Queensland. TrLLAUX(4) has remarked on the of Biology, ProtetJ.s-like n ature of the deep fascia of the neck, and another French man, Sebilau (quoted by Testut ) has ob served with typi c al Gallic insight, that, in defining its l a yers , the wish is father to the plane and the scalpel is directed accordi ngly. Some have gone so far as to say that the pla nes described as e x ist i ng in this fascia are artifacts pure and s imple , and that no such struct ures o ccur during life. But, as ap ology for yet another account of the arrangements of the fascia of th e neck, we would state that t he facts to be recorded here are largely the resul t of observa tions on the living. O bservat i ons have been made d issecting room, post mortem r o o m and operating t h e atre ; but it is in the last -name d pl ace that the reader may most profitably veri fy t he descript ion for himself. in the It is maintained govern ing the that the arrangement of general the principles fascia in this region in no wise differ from those which determine its a r ran gement in any other pa rt of the body. It is our o pinio n that sufficient attentio n has not been given to these general p rinci p les , because on them dep end the understanding of the fascial arrange ment in the neck and, as a co rollar y, t he un der 8t anding also of the various surgic al affections eneonntered in practice . 6 E. S. MF.YEHS AND R. K. MACPHERSON. mastoid, roofs over the posterior triangle, encloses the trapezius and is attached to the ligamentum nucha; in the mid-line posteriorly. In short, every one is agreed on the existence and disposition of this layer. 'rhe second layer is one of great importance-a fact which, in our opinion, has not been sufficiently stressed by the Ihajority of observers. Tt is derived from the fascial sheaths of the sterho-hyoid and omo-hyoid muscles, which are considered as being in the same morphological plane. Beginning at the mid-line, it passes laterally, im-esting in turn the sterno-hyoid and the omo-hyoid, and passing fnrtheT laterally comes into relation with the internal jugular vein, turning round the latet·al aspect of this vessel to become continuous with the pre vertebral layer of fascia. 'l'he next layer to laterally from the qe considered is th�;tt comiilg off sterno-thyreoid muscle. This layer is also of great importance lri1t. of innch greater strength than the preceding one. At the lateral border of the sterho�thyreoid 1rtusele the fascial sheaths covering its anterior and posterior surfaces fuse to form the third laye1: Of the deep fascia. This layer passes postero-laterally to join the retrov1sceral layer, which lies on the po'sterior surface of the constrictor muscle. In its course it passes between the great vessels a11d the thyreoid gland, and provides a sheath for the lattei·. Passing it does medial to the carotid artery, it co1itributes to the formation or the carotid sheath, constituting its medial wall. It also gives off, just anterioi· to as the artery, a thin layer of fascia, which passes between the carotid artery and the internal j1igular vein, forming a partition between these two vessels. Consideration of :U'igure I shows how all the layers enumerated above haYe become continuous. In addition, the mode of formation of the following structures is indicated: The Carotid Sheath.�An investing layer of the great the neck, the so-called carotid sheath; may be vessels of considered as consisting of three components: (a) one from AHRANGFJMEN'l' OF the (b) and '.I'I-IF; DEEP CERVICAL FASCIA. 7 fascia ove r the sterno-hyoid and omo-hyoid muscles, one from the fascia over the sterno-thyreoid muscle, (c) one from the prevertebral fascia. The Sheath for the Thyreoid Gland.-A sheath for the thyreoid gland is formed by the fascia coming off from both surfaces of the sterno-thyreoid muscle. 'l'he Retropharyngeal Space.-A retrophatyngeal space is formed anteriorly by the retrovisceral fascia, posteriorly by the prevertebral fascia, and laterally by the medial portion of the carotid sheath. FIGURE I. Schematic transverse section of the anterior part .of the left half of the neck at the level of the sixth cervical vertebra, to show the arrangement of the fascia at that leveL (e ,co common carotid, IJ = internal jugular, Le = longus ce·r·vicis, LSc � levator scapulre, OE = resophagus, OH = omo-hyoid, SeA = scalenus ante·ri01', sea = semispinalis capitis, ScM = scalenus medius, See = semispinalis cervicis, SH = sterno-hyoid, SM = sterno mastoid, Sp = splenius, ST = sterno-thyreoid, T = trapezius, TG = thyreoid gland, Tr = trachea, l' = sixth cervical vertebra, l'A ·= vertebral artery.) The fascial planes are indicated by broken lines. If a section is taken at a higher level, say just below the upper border of the thyre o id cartilage, as shown in Figure II, similar conditions are found 8 E. to prevail. S. MEYERS AND R. K. MACPHEUSON. It is to be noted , however, that: (i) the thyreoid gland has disappeared from the section; (ii) the thyre o-hyoid muscle rep.l aces the stern o thyreoid muscle ; (iii) the retrovisceral layer may now be de scrib e d as t he aponeurmds of the inferior constrictor of the ph arynx . If we examine a prep a ration from which the sterno mastoid muscle has been removed , we can observe the whole extent of the fascial l ayer c overi ng· the FIGURE II. Schematic transverse section at the level of the upp er part of the thyreoid cartilage. (AJ = anterior jugular, C = inferior con strictor, CA = ·carotid artery, .EJ = external jugular, IJ = internal jugular, L = cavity of the larynx, LC = longus cervicis, OH = omo hyoid, SM = sterno-mastoid, TC = thyreoid cartilage, TH = thyreo-hyoid, V = body of fifth cervical vertebra, VA = vertebra.! artery.) sterno-hyoid and omo-hyoid muscles. At the level at which the omo - hyoid crosses the internal j ugula r vein it is obvious that the a rr an g ement described above for this laye r can no longer hold good, as the fascia is d ra wn outwards by the omo - hyoid muscle. ·There remains now to be c onsidered the attach ment of these layers at the root of the neck. The attachment of the investing layer is exactly as AURANGFlMENT OF THE DEEP CERVICAL FASCIA. 9 deseribed in the standard text-books: it e ncloses the space of Burns above the sternum and the supra clavicular space as it passes laterally and gains attachment to the clavicle. The attacllment of the sterno-omo-hyoid layer iR along the upper border of the sternum and clavicle, merging with the attach ment of the inner lamella of the investing layer. The layer on the anterior surface of the sterno thyreoid (which is common to it and the sterno hyoid) will, of course, gain an attachment to the sternum. 'l'he layer of fascia on the deep surface of the sterno-thyreoid passes down into the thorax to blend "\vith the fibrous pericardium over the great vessels in the superior mediastinum in front of the trachea. We would call attention here to the caudal extent the retropharyngeal space. According to Barlow, <ll this space reaches the level of the aorta, although its lateral limits there are uncertain. of In an upward direction this space extends to the base of the skull. The layer of fascia which we have previously called the retropharyngeal layer now becomes the pharyngeal aponeurosis. Its lateral limit anteriorly is the pterygo-mandibular raphe. These facts are mentioned here for the sake of convenience, hut will be dealt with more fully in the second part of the description. It should be noted here, however, that the retrovisceral layer of the fascia, the prevertebral layer and the medial wall of the carotid sheath maintain a constant relationship to one another throughout the whole extent of the nee�!;. The Arrangement Above the Level of the Hyoid Bone. At the level of the hyoid bone all three layers, namely, the investing layer, the sterno-omo-hyoid layer and the continuation upwards of the sterno thyreoid layer, fuse and are inserted along the body and greater cornu of the bone. Above this point the fate of the various layers is best described s�para tely. 'J'hc Invest·ing Layer. 'l'he investing layei' sweeps upwards to gain an attachment along a line extending along the lower 10 E. S. MEDJH� ANll IL K. MACPJ-LEltHON. border of tile mandible, the zygomatic arch, the external acoustic meatus and the mastoid process. This layer forms tile external fascial covering for both the submaxillary and parotid glands. Laterally It also it encloses the sterno-mastoid as before. gains a special attachment to the angle of the jaw by a connexion passing from the sheath of the Aterno-mastoid to the angle of the jaw and the hyoid bone. 'l'his is sometimes called the stylo-mandibular ligament.1 'l'he Stenw-Omo-Hyoiil and tlie Sterno-Thy-reoid Laye1·s. and the sterno The sterno-omo-hyoid layer thyreoid layer fuse at the level of the hyoid bone, and thereafter constitute a single layer. This layer is best considered first in relation to its more anterior attachments and then in relation to its more posterior attachments. Antero-medial to the angle of the mandible t his layer, leaving the hyoid bone, sweeps upwards, gives an investment to the anterior belly of the digastric and the mylo-hyoid muscle, and gains an attach· In ment to the mylo-hyoid line. of the mandible. this way the deep layer of the capsule of the sub mandibular gland is formed (see Figure III). At level of the digastric the fascia is times above the ------------- ----very thin and its continuity is easily destroyed. A t confusion has arisen on this subject, and it would 1 Much There appear that two distinct s tructures have been confused, some man1mals, for exan1ple the horse, a distinct in exists muscle which extends from the tip of the paramastoid process (arising in common with the posterior belly of the digastric) to the ang'le of the mandible, and which is known as the stylo-mandilmlaris or stylo-maxillaris muscle."' This is repre sented in man by a fascial thickening (or ligament, if you will) which extends from th·e base of the sty loid process to ' the ang'le of the mandible, and this constitutes the stylo mandibular Jig'ament in senstt. . stricto. It is thus figm;ed. in and c "Practi al Anatomy", edited bY.- Stibbe. But this structure, f unction. rig·htly called the stylo-mandibular- !ig'ament, does not separate submandibular glands. Another.· structure the parotid perform's this It is the layer of ·fascia alread y mentioned, which..stretches from the sheath o f 'the_ sterno mas toid to the angle of the jaw. It would seem _that this represents a mandibular head of the sterno"mastoid comparable with the mnscnltts ste,·noccephalious in the horse, It is on account of the varying attachment,. of this muscle in the lower mammals that, in veterlnary anatomy, it i� usually referred , to by the non-committal name of the sterno-cephalieus. It is interesting to note that the authorR, after arriving at this conclusion, had occasion to <'orisult 'l'estut,'"' and fout!d that he had advanced an identical view. AIUIAl\<iEM�DIT O.F 'J'HE DEFJP CERVICAL FASCIA. 11 the angle of the mandible the fascia is continuous with the layer of fascia uniting the sheath of the sterno-mastoid to the angle of the mandible. More posteriorly the fascia obtains a very firm attachment along the posterior belly of the digastric, which extends temporal bone. continuous as far as the mastoid portion of the Posterior to this the fascia becomes with the fascia covering the muscles which fonn the floor of the posterior triangle. PIGu!m Schematic. through III. �oronal section mandible and sub mandibular g-land to show the arrangmnent of the 'fascia above the level of the hyoid bone. (D = digastric, ll = hyoid bone, M = mandible, 1l:Ul = mylo hyoid, SMG = submandibular gland.) be the 'L'he arrangement abo�-e described will not be seen in the usual course of dissection described in the various manuals. It is best seen in the post rnortern or operating room, after the sterno-mastoid has been turned down from its insertion. It will then observed· �ls a continuous sheath firmly attached 12 �j. S. MID YEllS AND IL K. M ACPHFJRSON. along the length whole of both bellies the of digastric muscle and connecting the sheath of the sterno-mastoid musc le with the angle of the jaw. 'l'his arrangement is illustrated in l!'igure IV A, whieh is a diagrammatic cross-section at the level Rhown in ]<'ignre IVB. , ®, ��;· � p�j;lflu -<�·�:�E���� ��!_-�<-:::��:-:::� 0 · ----- -----# .":•.,s. -------- ..... .. _ .. -... .. , � ... �.-::.--":. . � -� FIGURE IVA. Schematic section along the plane XY in Figure IVB to show the connexion between the sheath of ·the sterno mastoid and the angle of the jaw, (D = digastric, M = mandible, Ms = mnsseter, · SII = stylo-hyoid, S1li � sterno- mastoid.) Above digastric the the level of fascia the is posterior continued belly of upwards the as a It successively ensheaths the mm;cles which arise from the styloid process. thinner layer. �'IGUREl IVB. Thumbnail sketch to show the plane of section (M = masseter, Mn = body of of F'igure IVA. mandible, OH = omo-hyoid, P = parotid gland, SH = sterno-hyoid, S.M = sterno-mastoid, XY = plane of section.) As the great vessels pass beneath the digastric rnuscle they carry wi th them a sheath derived from the fascial sheath under consideration. This arrangement iR exactly comparable with th e con dition of affairs f ou n d in the infrahyoid region, AitHA:'\UI<;MFJNT OF 'l'HIG DFJI!lP CJomVICAL FASCIA. 13 where the great vessels pass beneath, the omo-hyoid muscle. It is impo rta nt to no te that the vessel s and the muscles are co mplete ly separated from one a noth er by their s h eaths . to As stated before, the relation of the prevertebral the retrovisceral layer of fascia rem ains unchanged. Their li ne of fusion continues righ t up to the base of the skull, In intimate association with t hi s line of fusion we have the sheath of the In the su perior portion of its extent the p rev ert ebr al space, or retrovisceral internal carotid ar tery . space of IIacnke as it is sometimes called , is d ivided into two parts by a vertical p arti tion in the mid line formed by a f usion between th e retrovisceral and prev ertebr a l lay ers , a fact remarked upon by I.ee McGregor iu his "Surgical Anatomy". <2l '!'he authors have been u nable to iden tify aponeurosis as described stylo-pharyngeal the by Barlow Y > Pei·h ap s it is th e fused prevertebral and re tro v isc eral la yers . In point of fact , we have noticed that Barlow's captio n "stylo-pharyngeal aponeurosis" in Pla�e IV il lustrating his ar ticle , actually repre se nt s the line of fusion between the two aponeuroses (see Figure V). The Lateral Pharyngeal Space. The back ward inclination of the vert ebr al column and the p osition of. the styloid process, with its nttached muscles and fascia, resnlt in the forma tion of a fa sc i a -cove red, chink-like space into wh ic h the p aro tid g land fits. Laterally there is a strong layer of fascia derived from th e i nves ting lay er ; infe riorly there are, a s tro ng lay er over the po s t erior belly of the digastric mmlCle and a strong lay er attached to th e angle of the mandible. The result of this arrangement is tha t the on ly way in w hic h the glan d may ea sily extend is to war ds the weaker medial area, whe1•e it may push the ph aryngeal wall before it. '[:lpints Barlow has devoted considerable a tt ention to the lateral pharyngeal space, and while w e agree in t he greater part with, his d esc rip tio n, there are certain with which we do not agree. The first iA in 14 E. S. MEYEUS AND R. K. MACPHERSON. regard to the stylo-mandibular ligament. It is not considered by us that this structure separates the parotid from the submandibular gland. This point has been dealt with earlier in this paper. Again, it is considered that this space is easy of surgical access. All that one has to do is to incise the fascia along the posterior belly of the digastric, and, by insertion of the finger, the fascial sheaths FIGURE V. Schematic transverse section at the level of the atlas. (A = atlas, B = buccinator, C = internal carotid, D = digastrk, E = external carotid, F' = fat, G = lymph gland, J = internal jugular, C = long·Hs capitis, 1li = masseter, Mn = mandible, 0 = .odontoid peg, PG = parotid gland, PT = me dia l pterygoid, So = spinal �ord, SC = superior constrictor, SM = sterno mastoid, V = vertebra.! artery, SP = soft palat e , St = s t yl o process.) The �tylo-hyoid and stylo-pharyngeus are elsa shown, but not labelled. I.. of the styloid muscles are easily broken down, and the finger can be. rapidly passed to the pharyngeal wall and a drain inserted in cases of suppuration. 'l'he third point of difference is the question of the stylo-pharyngeal aponeurosis already noted. 'l'he S.heath ot the Internal J.1tg1tla1· Vein. If the sterno-mastoid muscle is removed in its entirety the sheath of the internal jugular vein will be seen tbroughont the greater part of its extent. AltllANGEMENT OF THE DEEP CERVICAL FASCIA. 15 l<'rom a consideration of its method of formation, describ ed above, as it is natural outlets from it are obvious along that the only the sheaths of its tributary veins. In our ex perience infections of the infrahyoid region provide greater probl e ms in treat m en t than those in the suprahyoid region. there are more laye r s of The reason is that fascia; and this fact, tog eth er with that of the altered position of the sterno-mastoid muscle in the presence of patho logic al processes, leads to the formation of cu,ls-de wc which are difficult of dr ainag e . Summary. 1. A of new the deep acc ount is given of the arrangement c er v i eal fascia in the anterior com partment of the neck, based largely on observations on the living and the recently dead. 2. An attempt is made to show that t he arrange ment is in ac cordance with certain general principles. 3. The composition of the sheath of the thyreoid gland and the carotid sheath is discussed. 4. The fascia is described in relation to the sub mandibular a n d parotid glands, tog ether with the stylo-mandibular l i gament. 5. A means of s ur g i c al access to the lateral pharyng eal space is outlined. 6. C e rt ain of the views expressed are eomp:u·ed with those of Barlow. References. '1' D. Barlow: "Surgical Anatomy of the :-<eck in Helation to Septie LeRions", JoiM'nal of Anatomy, Volume LXX, 1936, pag·e 584. <2) A. L. McGregor: 4'A Synopsis of Su rgi ca l Anatomy", Third Edition, 19�6. pageR 179 to 185. <<:l S. Sisson: "�rhe Anatomy of Dornestic Animals", Second Edition, 19:>5. uages 262 and 266. w P. Tillanx: "TTaite d'anatornie topoiJTaphiqne", Eleventh · Edition, 1914, pages 4 7 1 to 480. <i'i) Testut: "T1·ait8 d'rtnato,mi.e htr,rnainen.· Volume I, 1928, pages 859 to 9 63.
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