Structure
The alar fascia is a sheet of connective tissue running anterior to the prevertebral fascia, anterior to the vertebral bodies. There is a “danger” space between the alar fascia and the prevertebral fascia, where this potential space is closed in a healthy person. However, the nature of the loose connective tissue surrounding the area offers a potential route for the downward spread of infection towards the mediastinum, most commonly from the retropharyngeal space.
Related parts of the anatomy
Anatomical Relations
Superiorly, the alar fascia is attached to the basilar part of the occipital bone and laterally to the transverse processes of the cervical vertebrae. It travels inferiorly until it fuses with the visceral layer of deep cervical fascia between the levels of C6 and T4 (Standring, 2016).
List of Clinical Correlates
—Endocarditis
—Mediastinitis
References
Standring, S. (2016) Gray's Anatomy: The Anatomical Basis of Clinical Practice, 41st ed. Elsevier Limited.
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Fascia
A fascia is a connective tissue that surrounds muscles, groups of muscles, blood vessels, and nerves.
