Fascial Layers of the Neck
Fascia is an internal connective tissue which forms bands or sheets that surround and support muscles, vessels and nerves in the body.
In the neck, these layers of fascia not only act to support internal structures, but also help to compartmentalise structures of the neck. There are two fascias in the neck –
the superficial cervical fascia and the deep cervical fascia.
In this article, we shall look at the anatomy of the fascial layers of the neck – their attachments, anatomical relationships and their clinical relevance.
Superficial Cervical Fascia
The superficial cervical fascia lies between the dermis and the deep cervical fascia. It contains numerous structures:
Neurovascular supply to the skin
Superficial veins (e.g. the external jugular vein)
Superficial lymph nodes
Fat
Platysma muscle
Platysma
The superficial cervical fascia blends with the ‘paper thin’ platysma muscle. The platysma is a broad superficial muscle which lies anteriorly in the neck.
It has two heads, which originate from the fascia of the pectoralis major and deltoid. The fibres from the two heads cross the clavicle, and meet in the midline, fusing with
the muscles of the face. Superiorly, the platysma inserts into the inferior border of the mandible. Innervation to the platysma is via the cervical branch of the facial nerve.
Fig 1 – The platysma muscle, located within the superficial cervical fascia.
Deep Cervical Fascia
The deep cervical fascia lies, as its name suggests, ‘deep’ to the superficial fascia and platysma muscle. This fascia is organised into several layers. These layers act like a
shirt collar, supporting the structures and vessels of the neck.
We shall now look at the layers of the deep cervical fascia in more detail (superficial to deep):
Investing Layer
The investing layer is the most superficial of the deep cervical fascia.
It surrounds all the structures in the neck. Where it meets the trapezius and sternocleidomastoid muscles, it splits into two, completely surrounding them.
The investing fascia can be thought of as a tube; with superior, inferior, anterior and posterior attachments:
Superior – attaches to the external occipital protuberance and the superior nuchal line of the skull.
Anteriorly – attaches to the hyoid bone.
Fascia is an internal connective tissue which forms bands or sheets that surround and support muscles, vessels and nerves in the body.
In the neck, these layers of fascia not only act to support internal structures, but also help to compartmentalise structures of the neck. There are two fascias in the neck –
the superficial cervical fascia and the deep cervical fascia.
In this article, we shall look at the anatomy of the fascial layers of the neck – their attachments, anatomical relationships and their clinical relevance.
Superficial Cervical Fascia
The superficial cervical fascia lies between the dermis and the deep cervical fascia. It contains numerous structures:
Neurovascular supply to the skin
Superficial veins (e.g. the external jugular vein)
Superficial lymph nodes
Fat
Platysma muscle
Platysma
The superficial cervical fascia blends with the ‘paper thin’ platysma muscle. The platysma is a broad superficial muscle which lies anteriorly in the neck.
It has two heads, which originate from the fascia of the pectoralis major and deltoid. The fibres from the two heads cross the clavicle, and meet in the midline, fusing with
the muscles of the face. Superiorly, the platysma inserts into the inferior border of the mandible. Innervation to the platysma is via the cervical branch of the facial nerve.
Fig 1 – The platysma muscle, located within the superficial cervical fascia.
Deep Cervical Fascia
The deep cervical fascia lies, as its name suggests, ‘deep’ to the superficial fascia and platysma muscle. This fascia is organised into several layers. These layers act like a
shirt collar, supporting the structures and vessels of the neck.
We shall now look at the layers of the deep cervical fascia in more detail (superficial to deep):
Investing Layer
The investing layer is the most superficial of the deep cervical fascia.
It surrounds all the structures in the neck. Where it meets the trapezius and sternocleidomastoid muscles, it splits into two, completely surrounding them.
The investing fascia can be thought of as a tube; with superior, inferior, anterior and posterior attachments:
Superior – attaches to the external occipital protuberance and the superior nuchal line of the skull.
Anteriorly – attaches to the hyoid bone.
