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Carotid sheath

The carotid sheath is a condensation of the deep cervical fascia, or fibrous connective tissue of the neck, which surrounds the great vessels of the neck.

It extends from the base of the skull caudally to the first rib on the sternum. More precisely, it starts bilaterally at the level of the oropharynx on the lateral side of the retropharyngeal space, deep to the sternocleidomastoid muscle. It joins the prevertebral fascia medially and communicates inferiorly with the mediastinum.

In this article, we will discuss the anatomy, relations, and contents of the carotid sheath, as well as some clinical aspects related to this structure.

Key facts about the carotid sheath
Definition Condensation of the deep cervical fascia that forms the vascular compartment of the neck
Location Lateral to the retropharyngeal space on each side of the neck
Contents Common and internal carotid artery, internal jugular vein and vagus nerve (CN X)
Function Protection of the major neurovascular structures it surrounds
Contents
  1. Fascial layers and relations
  2. Contents
  3. Clinical aspects
  4. Sources
+ Show all

Fascial layers and relations

The deep cervical fascia of the neck has three layers, listed from superficial to deep. The first is known as the investing layer and surrounds the sternocleidomastoid muscle and the trapezius muscle. The second is called the pretracheal fascia and encloses the visceral region of the neck. Lastly, the third fascial layer is the prevertebral fascia and it surrounds the vertebral region of the neck.

The carotid sheath itself is formed by contributions from all three layers of the deep cervical fascia. This sheath encompasses the vascular compartment of the neck.

Posterior to the carotid sheath is the cervical part of the sympathetic trunk which is embedded in the prevertebral fascia.

Contents

Carotid sheath diagram - The carotid sheath is a condensation of the deep cervical fascia that surrounds the main neurovascular structures of the neck: the common and internal carotid artery, the internal jugular vein, and the vagus nerve (CN X). The vascular compartment formed by the carotid sheath is located on each side of the neck, lateral to the retropharyngeal space, and deep to the sternocleidomastoid muscle.

The carotid sheath surrounds the following anatomical structures:

In order to remember this list of the main carotid sheath contents, a popular mnemonic is well worth learning: ‘I See 10CC’s in the IV’ (See list above for correlations).

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