Access to the Parapharyngeal Space
Chapter in Book
2025-03-08
Permanent link to this Item
Authors
Journal Title
Open Access Atlas of Otolaryngology, Head & Neck Operative Surgery
Link to Journal
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
University of Cape Town
Publisher
Department
Faculty
Series
Abstract
The parapharyngeal space (PPS) extends from the skull base above, to the hyoid bone below, and contains fat, the carotid artery, internal jugular vein, and the lower cranial nerves and sympathetic nerve. Surgical resection of tumours of the PPS requires a good understanding of the anatomy, likely pathology (if not known), and surgical approaches. The PPS extends as an inverted pyramid from the base of the skull superiorly, to the hyoid bone inferiorly. Figure 1 illustrates an axial view of the prestyloid (yellow) and poststyloid components of the PPS, separated by the styloid process, tensor veli palatini muscle and fascia stretching between (brown). The poststyloid space contains the internal carotid artery and the internal jugular vein, as well as the lower cranial nerves IX -XII, and the sympathetic trunk. It is confined medially by the pharyngobasilar fascia above, and the superior constrictor muscle of the pharynx.
Description
Reference:
Fagan, J. 2025. Access to the Parapharyngeal Space. In Open Access Atlas of Otolaryngology, Head & Neck Operative Surgery. J. Fagan, Ed.Cape Town, South Africa: University of Cape Town. 9. http://hdl.handle.net/11427/43559 .