A retropharyngeal abscess ruptures or spreads beyond the alar fascia into the potential space lying behind it. This 'danger space' is surgically important because it descends into the:

• A Pterygopalatine fossa
• B Carotid sheath up to the jugular bulb
• C Parotid space through the stylomandibular tunnel
• D Posterior mediastinum down to the diaphragm ✓

Explanation

The danger space lies between the alar fascia anteriorly and the prevertebral fascia posteriorly, and extends from the skull base to the diaphragm, providing infection a direct route into the posterior mediastinum. This explains how a retropharyngeal abscess can produce mediastinitis, the most feared complication. The retropharyngeal space proper ends around the level of the upper thoracic vertebrae where alar and prevertebral fascia fuse.

Reference: Cummings Otolaryngology: Head and Neck Surgery, 7th ed.

High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP

Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.