The pretracheal fascia is continued behind the
depressor muscles of the
hyoid bone. After enveloping the
thyroid gland, it is prolonged in front of the
trachea to meet the corresponding layer of the opposite side. The pretracheal layer of the deep cervical fascia passes in front of the
carotid sheath (i.e.,
common carotid artery,
internal jugular vein, and
vagus nerve) and in front of the cervical viscera (
larynx,
oesophagus, and
pharynx). The muscular layer ensheathes the
infrahyoid muscles. Above, the pretracheal fascia is fixed to the
hyoid bone. Below, it is carried downward in front of the trachea and large vessels at the root of the neck, and ultimately blends with the fibrous
pericardium. The pretracheal fascia is fused on either side with the
prevertebral fascia, and with it completes the compartment containing the
larynx and
trachea, the
thyroid gland, and the
pharynx and
esophagus. == Function ==