2016_Head & Neck COURSE BOOK

Parapharyngeal space (PPS) Central location

Spaces defined by DCF

 Parapharyngeal

PPS

 Parotid

PS

 Pharyngeal mucosal

PMS

 Masticator

MS

 Carotid

CS

PPS

 Retropharyngeal / Danger

RPS / DS

 Perivertebral

PVS

PPS

Parapharyngeal space (PPS) Contents

 FAT

– easy to see on routine CT / MRI

 Vessels

– internal maxillary / ascending pharyngeal art. – pharyngeal venous plexus

Fat easily recognized on CT / MR

PPS

 From skull base 

submandibular gland  Allows smooth motion during mastication  Primary lesions PPS rare

– Salivary gland remnants – Branchiogenic anomaly

Branchial arch cyst

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