[Durgical](https://durgical.com/en/) › [DurgiPedia](https://durgical.com/en/durgipedia/) › [Anatomy](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/) › [Head and neck](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/region/head-and-neck/) › Cervical fascia [Muscular system](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/system/muscular-system/) · [Head and neck](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/region/head-and-neck/) # Cervical fascia The cervical fascia is a set of tough sheets that wrap the muscles and organs of the neck into compartments, which can limit or guide infections. Official name: Superficial investing cervical fascia [See in 3D →](https://durgical.app/?from=durgipedia&lang=en#region=head_neck&select=cervical_fascia&side=r) Opens in the Durgical app, no sign-up needed. ## What it is A sleeve of fascia wrapping the neck and splitting around the SCM and trapezius. ## What it does Divides the neck into compartments that limit (or guide) the spread of infection. ## Key points - Superficial fascia (holding the platysma) and three deep layers: investing, pretracheal and prevertebral; the [carotid sheath](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/carotid-sheath/) takes a contribution from all three - Danger space, between the alar and prevertebral layers, runs from the skull base to the [diaphragm](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/diaphragm/): retropharyngeal infection can reach the posterior mediastinum (descending necrotizing mediastinitis) - The pretracheal layer wraps the thyroid gland, trachea and oesophagus and blends with the [pericardium](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/pericardium/); it ties the thyroid to the larynx, so the gland moves on swallowing ## Key facts **Attaches** Investing layer: superior nuchal line, mastoid, [mandible](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/mandible/) and hyoid above; [clavicle](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/clavicle/), [manubrium](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/manubrium-of-sternum/) and acromion below **Function** Encloses the sternocleidomastoid and trapezius; with the pretracheal and prevertebral layers it makes the neck compartments that guide infection ## Relations **Contents** Investing layer: [sternocleidomastoid](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/sternocleidomastoid-muscle/), [trapezius](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/trapezius-muscle/), submandibular and parotid glands; pretracheal layer: [thyroid gland](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/thyroid-gland/), [parathyroid glands](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/parathyroid-glands/), larynx, [trachea](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/trachea/), [pharynx](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/pharynx/), oesophagus and strap muscles; prevertebral layer: deep neck muscles, [phrenic nerve](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/phrenic-nerve/) and [brachial plexus roots](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/roots-of-brachial-plexus/) **Superficial** Superficial fascia with the [platysma](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/platysma/), the [external jugular vein](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/external-jugular-vein/) and the cutaneous nerves of the cervical plexus **Deep** The prevertebral layer lies on the vertebral column and the deep neck muscles; the [sympathetic trunk](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/sympathetic-trunk/) runs on it ## How to find it Not palpable. In surgery the investing layer is the first tough sheet under the platysma, opened along the front of the sternocleidomastoid; above the manubrium it splits to form the suprasternal space, which holds the jugular venous arch. ## On imaging Contrast CT is the standard way to map a deep neck infection: it shows which space is involved (parapharyngeal, retropharyngeal, danger, prevertebral, submandibular) and any spread into the mediastinum. ## Clinical notes - Infection behind the prevertebral layer, such as tuberculosis of the cervical [spine](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/region/spine/), can track down to the mediastinum or along the axillary sheath into the axilla - A haematoma after thyroid surgery is trapped under the strap muscles and pretracheal layer and can compress the airway; opening the wound urgently is the taught emergency step - Neck wounds that breach the platysma are classed as penetrating neck injuries ## Related conditions - [Deep neck infection and Ludwig angina](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/deep-neck-infection-and-ludwig-angina/) ## Test yourself Think of the answer, then tap the question to see it. ## What are the three layers of the deep cervical fascia? Investing, pretracheal and prevertebral; the carotid sheath takes a contribution from all three. ## Which space lets a retropharyngeal infection reach the posterior mediastinum? The danger space, between the alar and prevertebral layers, running from the skull base to the diaphragm: descending necrotizing mediastinitis. ## Why does the thyroid gland move on swallowing? The pretracheal layer of the cervical fascia wraps the thyroid and ties it to the larynx. ## Why is a haematoma after thyroid surgery an emergency? It is trapped under the strap muscles and pretracheal layer and can compress the airway; opening the wound urgently is the taught step. [Add to my cards (4)](https://durgical.app/estudiar/?add=/en/anatomy/superficial-investing-cervical-fascia/) Educational information, not medical advice. For any symptom, see a health professional. ## Its names **Official Latin (TA2)** fascia investiens superficialis colli TA2 2207 **Official Spanish (DeCS)** Lámina superficial de la fascia cervical DeCS D005205 **English (TA2)** Superficial investing cervical fascia **Also called** investing layer of cervical fascia · superficial layer of deep cervical fascia · fascia investiens colli · fascia superficialis colli Sources: Terminologia Anatomica (TA2); [DeCS](https://decs.bvsalud.org/es/ths/resource/?id=5309); [Anatomy, Head and Neck, Deep Cervical Neck Fascia](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK541091/); [Anatomy, Head and Neck: Carotid Sheath](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK519577/). ## **Spotted a mistake?** We are always improving for the community. Tell us what is wrong and our team will review it. Report a mistake Representative model, for educational purposes only. --- Source: https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/superficial-investing-cervical-fascia/ License: CC BY 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). Cite as: DurgiPedia (durgical.com), https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/superficial-investing-cervical-fascia/