Alar fascia

Alar fascia is a layer of fascia found in the human body, specifically within the neck. It is a part of the deep cervical fascia, which is a complex and layered structure that plays a crucial role in supporting and separating the various structures within the neck.

Anatomy

The alar fascia is located posterior to the prevertebral fascia and anterior to the buccopharyngeal fascia. It forms a boundary between the retropharyngeal space and the danger space, which are potential spaces within the neck that can act as pathways for the spread of infections or other pathological conditions.

The alar fascia is thin and difficult to distinguish in dissections, but it is nonetheless an important anatomical landmark. It extends from the base of the skull down to the level of the second thoracic vertebra, enclosing the muscles of the vertebral column.

Clinical significance

Due to its location and role as a boundary between potential spaces, the alar fascia is clinically significant in the context of neck infections and abscesses. Infections that breach the alar fascia can spread into the danger space and from there into the mediastinum, potentially leading to life-threatening conditions such as mediastinitis.

See also

• Fascia
• Deep cervical fascia
• Retropharyngeal abscess