| Parapharyngeal space | |
|---|---|
 Lateral head anatomy detail | |
 Muscles of the pharynx and cheek. | |
| Details | |
| Identifiers | |
| Latin | spatium lateropharyngeum, spatium pharyngeum laterale, spatium parapharyngeum |
| MeSH | D000080886 |
| TA98 | A05.3.01.117 |
| TA2 | 2883 |
| FMA | 84967 |
| Anatomical terminology | |
The parapharyngeal space (also termed the lateral pharyngeal space), is a potential space in the head and the neck. It has clinical importance in otolaryngology due to parapharyngeal space tumours and parapharyngeal abscess developing in this area. It is also a key anatomic landmark for localizing disease processes in the surrounding spaces of the neck; the direction of its displacement indirectly reflects the site of origin for masses or infection in adjacent areas, and consequently their appropriate differential diagnosis.[1]
- ^ Unger, J. M.; Chintapalli, K. N. (1983). "Computed tomography of the parapharyngeal space". Journal of Computer Assisted Tomography. 7 (4): 605–9. doi:10.1097/00004728-198308000-00006. PMID 6863661.