Buccal space

The buccal space, also known as the buccinator space, is one of the seven suprahyoid deep compartments of the head and neck.

Gross anatomy 

The buccal spaces are paired fat-containing spaces on each side of the face forming cheeks. Each space is enveloped by the superficial (investing) layer of the deep cervical fascia.

It is located between the buccinator and platysma muscles, therefore it is only a small potential space with limited contents.

Contents

• fat: cheek padding
• parotid duct
• accessory parotid gland in 20% of people which can cause facial asymmetry; readily seen on MRI 
• facial and buccal arteries and corresponding veins
• facial nerve (CN VII): buccal branch
• trigeminal nerve (CN V): buccal nerve of the mandibular division

Boundaries and relations

• anterior: orbicularis oris muscle and the angle of the mouth
• posterior: masseter muscle, mandible, medial pterygoid and lateral pterygoid muscles
• superior: zygomatic process of the maxilla and zygomaticus muscles 
• inferior: depressor anguli oris muscle and the deep fascia attaching to the mandible
• medial (deep): buccinator muscle
• lateral (superficial): platysma muscle and subcutaneous tissues with the skin

Communications

Buccal space infection can spread to/from the teeth. There is no real boundary between the buccal space and the submandibular space inferiorly. There is also potential communication with the pterygomandibular region, infratemporal space, and the parapharyngeal space posteriorly.

Related pathology

• parotid duct calculi
• odontogenic infection
• tumors: minor salivary gland tumors, vascular lesions (e.g. hemangiomas)