Deep cervical fascia

Deep Cervical Fascia is a fibrous layer of tissue that envelops the structures of the neck, including the thyroid gland, trachea, esophagus, and carotid arteries. It is part of the fascia, a network of connective tissue that surrounds muscles, groups of muscles, blood vessels, and nerves, binding some structures together, while permitting others to slide smoothly over each other.

Structure

The deep cervical fascia is divided into three layers: the superficial, middle, and deep layers.

• The superficial layer (also known as the investing layer) encloses the entire neck and includes the sternocleidomastoid muscle and trapezius muscle.
• The middle layer (or pretracheal layer) envelops the viscera of the neck, such as the thyroid gland, trachea, and esophagus.
• The deep layer (or prevertebral layer) surrounds the vertebral column and muscles associated with the vertebral column.

Function

The deep cervical fascia plays a crucial role in the movement and support of the structures within the neck. It allows for the smooth sliding of muscles and organs against each other and provides a protective barrier against infection spreading from the neck to other parts of the body.

Clinical Significance

Understanding the anatomy of the deep cervical fascia is essential in surgical procedures involving the neck. It is also significant in the spread of cervical lymphadenopathy and deep neck infection.

See Also

• Fascia
• Neck
• Sternocleidomastoid muscle
• Trapezius muscle
• Thyroid gland
• Trachea
• Esophagus
• Carotid arteries