The Viscera and Glands of the Neck: Part II

Apart from the spinal cord, which passes through the back of the neck, the front of the neck serves as the conduit for all the major structures passing between the head (and the face), and the chest and upper limbs. It also contains a number of other important organs with unique functions (such as the thyroid and parathyroid glands). Thus, many important structures are crowded together in a relatively small site, notably muscles, glands, arteries, veins, nerves, lymphatics, trachea and the oesophagus. Consequently, this is a very vulnerable part of the body. Diseases and injuries located in this anatomical region can therefore have wide reaching clinical effects. These contents are surrounded by a fascial layer, whilst the neck is compartmentalised by deeper sheets of fascia. These fascial planes play an important role in containing infection and determining the direction in which it may spread. Their detailed anatomical attachments are complex and somewhat variably described. A simple overview follows.