Carotid sheath

Infobox Anatomy
Name = Carotid sheath
Latin = vagina carotica fasciae cervicalis
GraySubject = 111
GrayPage = 389


Caption = Section of the neck at about the level of the sixth cervical vertebra. Showing the arrangement of the fascia coli. Carotid sheath is labeled in red.


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DorlandsPre = v_01
DorlandsSuf = 12842562
The carotid sheath is an anatomical term for the fibrous connective tissue that surrounds the internal carotid artery and related structures in the neck.

tructure

The carotid sheath is located at the lateral boundary of the retropharyngeal space at the level of the oropharynx on each side of the neck and deep to the sternocleidomastoid muscle, extending from the base of the skull to the first rib and sternum.

Contents

The three major structures contained in the carotid sheath are:
* the common carotid artery
* internal jugular vein
* the vagus nerve

The carotid artery lies medial to the internal jugular vein, and the vagus nerve is situated posteriorly between the two vessels.

The carotid sheath also contains the deep cervical lymph nodes.

In the upper part, the carotid sheath also contains the glossopharyngeal nerve, the accessory nerve, and the hypoglossal nerve, which pierce the fascia of the carotid sheath.

The ansa cervicalis is embedded in the anterior wall of sheath. It is formed by "descendens hypoglossi" (C1) and "descendens cervicalis" (C2-C3).

Layers

The three major fascial layers in the neck contribute to the carotid sheath: the investing fascia, the pretracheal fascia, and the prevertebral fascia.

Relations

The cervical part of the sympathetic trunk is embedded in prevertebral fascia immediately posterior to the sheath.

ee also

* axillary fascia

=Additional

External links

*
* (NormanAnatomyFig|latpharyngealitmes)
*
* [http://iris3.med.tufts.edu/medgross/hd12ans.htm Cross section at tufts.edu]