Parapharyngeal Space

Oftentimes the diagnosis is made on the basis of a scan performed for other reasons and an asymptomatic mass is identified.

Parapharyngeal space. It is also a key anatomic landmark for localizing disease processes in the surrounding spaces of the neck. The prestyloid parapharyngeal space psps is discussed in this chapter as the primary site of origin for mass lesions of the head and neck. It consists largely of fat neurovascular structures and in some definitions the retromandibular part of the deep lobe of the parotid gland. The psps is a secondarily involved site in several common inflammatory and mucosal origin neoplastic diseases that are discussed in other chapters.

The parapharyngeal space pps is a potential space lateral to the upper pharynx. It has an inverted teepee shape. Parapharyngeal space tumors are typically asymptomatic and patients become aware of them only when a bulge develops in the palate or sidewall of the throat near the tonsils. Majority of parapharyngeal space tumor mostly in the prestyloid space.

The parapharyngeal space also known as the prestyloid parapharyngeal space is a deep compartment of the head and neck around which most other suprahyoid fascial spaces are arranged. The parapharyngeal space or lateral pharyngeal or pharyngomaxillary space is in the upper neck above the hyoid bone. The parapharyngeal space is a potential space in the head and the neck. This space connects to every other major fascial neck space and is divided into anterior and posterior compartments by the styloid process.

The parapharyngeal pharyngomaxillary space is lateral to the superior pharyngeal constrictor and medial to the pterygoid muscle. Second most common mostly in the poststyloid space. It is classed as one of the suprahyoid fascial spaces because it is situated on the lateral aspect of the pharynx and is continuous with the retropharyngeal space posteriorly and the submandibular space anteriorly. It is an inverted cone shaped potential space that extends from the hyoid bone to the base of the skull.

The parapharyngeal space this fascial space is also known as the lateral pharyngeal space. The direction of its displacement indirectly reflects the site of origin for masses or infection in adjacent areas and consequently their appropriate differential diagnosis. Parapharyngeal space tumors are rare and account for 0 5 of head and neck tumors 80 benign and 20 malignant. The pps is shaped like an inverted pyramid extending from the skull base superiorly to the greater cornu of the.

Salivary gland neoplasms benign to malignant ratio 3 1.