Posterior cervical space
The posterior cervical space is one of the fat filled deep spaces of the neck located posterolaterally.
Gross Anatomy
Location
- posterolateral part of the neck extending from the mastoid tip and base of skull to the clavicles
- most of the volume is in the infrahyoid neck, with some extension into the suprahyoid neck
- between superficial layer of the deep cervical fascia and deep layer of deep cervical fascia
Contents
- spinal accessory nerve (cranial nerve XI)
- preaxillary brachial plexus
- spinal accessory lymph nodes
- fat
Relations
- superficial: sternocleidomastoid and trapezius muscles
- deep: prevertebral space
- anterior: carotid space
Related pathology
- spinal accessory nodal disease (e.g. infection, lymphoma, metastases)
- third branchial cleft cyst
- lesion in posterior cervical space typically cause anteromedial displacement of the carotid space and posteromedial displacement of the prevertebral space
