Carotid sheath

One carotid sheath is situated on each side of the neck, extending between the base of the skull superiorly and internal carotid artery, and recurrent laryngeal nerve,''' the superior root of ansa cervicalis is situated either anterior to or within the carotid sheath Relations The carotid sheath occurs at the level of the oropharynx. The cervical sympathetic trunk is situated posteriormedial to the carotid sheath. The carotid sheath is situated at each lateral boundary of the retropharyngeal space, deep to the sternocleidomastoid muscle. The pharynx is situated medial to the carotid sheath, (in the suprahyoid region) the parotid gland laterally to it, in the suprahyoid region the infratemporal fossa anterior to it, and the prevertebral fascia posterior to it. == Function ==

The carotid sheath acts to protect and separate the structures contained within. == Clinical significance ==

The carotid sheath may act as a conduit for infections, although this is rare due to the limited connective tissue. ==Additional images==

Image:Gray794.png|Hypoglossal nerve, cervical plexus, and their branches. Image:Gray1031.png|Muscles of the pharynx, viewed from behind, together with the associated vessels and nerves. == See also ==