Prevertebral space
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The prevertebral space is a space in the neck.
| Prevertebral space | |
|---|---|
Section of the neck at about the level of the sixth cervical vertebra. Showing the arrangement of the fascia coli. | |
 Sagittal section of nose mouth, pharynx, and larynx. | |
| Anatomical terminology |
On one side it is bounded by the prevertebral fascia.[1]
On the other side, some sources define it as bounded by the vertebral bodies,[2] and others define it as bounded by the longus colli.[1]
It includes the prevertebral muscles (longus colli and longus capitis), vertebral artery, vertebral vein, scalene muscles, phrenic nerve and part of the brachial plexus.[3]
In trauma, an increased thickness of the prevertebral space is a sign of injury, and can be measured with medical imaging.[4]
Clinical significance
On plain radiography, prevertebral space should be less than 6 mm at C3 vertebral level in children; while in adults, the space should be less than 6 mm at C2 level and less than 22 mm at C6 level. Causes of enlarged prevertebral space could be edema, hematoma, abscess, tumors, and post surgical changes.[5]
