What is the danger space in the neck?

The danger space or alar space, is a region of the neck. The common name originates from the risk that an infection in this space can spread directly to the thorax, and, due to being a space continuous on the left and right, can furthermore allow infection to spread easily to either side.

What is neck space?

The neck spaces are often divided into the suprahyoid (between the base of the skull and hyoid bone) and infrahyoid (between the hyoid bone and clavicles) spaces, as the anatomy of the deep cervical fascia is slightly different above and below the hyoid bone. Some spaces cross the hyoid bone and course the entire neck.

What are the deep neck spaces?

Deep neck spaces are regions of loose connective tissue filling areas between the 3 layers of deep cervical fascia, namely, superficial, middle, and deep layers. The superficial layer is the investing layer, The pretracheal layer is the intermediate layer and the prevertebral layer is the deepest layer.

Why is the retropharyngeal space important?

The retropharyngeal space is a significant region to consider when evaluating a patient with neck pain as a multitude of pathologies can manifest and affect this area. The connection of the danger space to the mediastinum allows for the spread of infections from the oral cavity to the thoracic cavity.

What are deep neck space infections?

Deep neck space infection (DNSI) refers to an infection in the potential spaces and fascial planes of the neck, either with abscess formation or cellulitis (1). At least 11 deep spaces are part of the complex structure formed by the facial planes, providing possible infection sites.

Q5. In the given diagram identify the danger space (AIIMS 2016)

What is danger space?

The danger space is a deep compartment of the head and neck located behind the true retropharyngeal space, extending from the skull base to the mediastinum.

Is a neck infection serious?

Deep neck infections are a serious but treatable group of infections affecting the deep cervical space and characterized by rapid progression and life-threatening complications. These infections remain an important health problem with significant morbidity and potential mortality.

What is danger space in oral surgery?

The danger space or alar space, is a region of the neck. The common name originates from the risk that an infection in this space can spread directly to the thorax, and, due to being a space continuous on the left and right, can furthermore allow infection to spread easily to either side.

What does the retropharyngeal space contain?

The retropharyngeal space (between the posterior pharyngeal wall and the prevertebral layer of deep cervical fascia) contains loose connective tissue and lymph nodes that drain the nasopharynx, paranasal sinuses, middle ear, teeth, and adjacent bones.

What is the Suprasternal space?

The suprasternal space, which is also known as the “Burns space,” is a narrow space between the superficial and deep layers of the investing layers of the deep cervical fascia superior to the manubrium of the sternum (13).

What is the area between the chin and neck?

The submental space is a fascial space of the head and neck (sometimes also termed fascial spaces or tissue spaces). It is a potential space located between the mylohyoid muscle superiorly, the platysma muscle inferiorly, under the chin in the midline.

What is danger space PPT?

DANGER SPACE ● Posterior to the retropharyngeal space ● Space between the alar layer and prevertebral layer of deep fascia ● So named because it contains loose areolar tissue and ● offers little resistance to spread of infection ● Runs from the skull base to diaphragm.

What is the significance of Suprasternal space?

Greater attention should be paid to the suprasternal space as an area with the potential for lymph node metastasis from thyroid cancer. superficial and deep layers of the investing layers of the deep cervical fascia above the manubrium of the sternum (Figure 1).

What is the anatomy of the neck?

The neck is the start of the spinal column and spinal cord. The spinal column contains about two dozen inter-connected, oddly shaped, bony segments, called vertebrae. The neck contains seven of these, known as the cervical vertebrae. They are the smallest and uppermost vertebrae in the body.

What is Gillette space?

ANATOMY. Retropharyngeal space, lies behind the pharynx between the buccopharyngeal fascia covering the constrictor muscle and the prevertebral fascia. It extends from the base of the skull of the bifurcation of trachea. Space is divided into two lateral compartments (space of Gillette) by a fibrous raphe.

What is the retropharyngeal space continuous with?

The retropharyngeal space

It is continuous with the parapharyngeal space anteriorly and the sublingual space. The retropharyngeal space runs between the base of the skull to the level of the seconds thoracic vertebra where the fascial layers fuse.

What is the visceral space?

The visceral space or compartment is a deep compartment of the head and neck that contains the thyroid gland, larynx, trachea, upper oesophagus, hypopharynx and, in some definitions, oropharynx and nasopharynx.

Is Submaxillary space and submandibular space same?

Some also subsume the submental space and others further include the sublingual space, as these spaces communicate freely ^5,6. In the latter case, the portion of the submandibular space inferior to the mylohyoid muscle sling is also known as the submaxillary space or submylohyoid space ⁶.

What is submandibular space?

The submandibular space is a fascial space of the head and neck (sometimes also termed fascial spaces or tissue spaces). It is a potential space, and is paired on either side, located on the superficial surface of the mylohyoid muscle between the anterior and posterior bellies of the digastric muscle.

What is Ludwigs angina?

Ludwig angina is a type of bacterial infection that occurs in the floor of the mouth, under the tongue. It often develops after an infection of the roots of the teeth (such as tooth abscess) or a mouth injury.

What are symptoms of neck infection?

What causes neck infection?

The most common causes are when someone is undergoing a bacterial or viral infection from either a cold, tonsillitis, ear infection, or a sinus infection. As the infection worsens, it will spread deep down in the tissue or lymph nodes in the neck.

How is a deep neck infection diagnosed?

CT scans with contrast are the gold standard in evaluation of deep neck infections. The importance of CT scanning is highlighted in a study by Crespo et al, who found that clinical examination alone underestimated the extent of deep neck space infections in 70% of patients.