The parapharyngeal space (PPS), also known as the prestyloid parapharyngeal space, is a deep compartment of the head and neck around which most other suprahyoid fascial spaces are arranged. It consists largely of fat, neurovascular structures, and, in some definitions, the retromandibular part of the deep lobe of the parotid gland.

Terminology

Two naming conventions exist in the literature. In the first definition, familiar to most head and neck surgeons, the parapharyngeal space is divided into prestyloid and poststyloid (retrostyloid) compartments ^1-3,10. In the second definition, introduced by some radiologists, the prestyloid parapharygeal space is simply termed the parapharyngeal space, and the poststyloid pharapharygeal space is termed the carotid space ^4-6. The latter facilitates differential diagnosis and is used in this article.

Other terms for the parapharyngeal space include the lateral pharyngeal space, pharyngomaxillary space, and even less commonly pterygomaxillary space, pterygopharyngeal space, peripharyngeal space, and pharyngomasticatory space ¹. The term pterygomandibular space has rarely been used for this location, but this term is best reserved for the subcompartment of the masticator space instead.

Gross anatomy

The parapharyngeal space is shaped like an inverted pyramid, with its base at the skull base, with its apex inferiorly pointing towards the greater cornu of the hyoid bone ².

Contents

• fat (main component)

• vessels

  • ​​internal maxillary artery, depending on its course

  • ascending pharyngeal artery, depending on its course

  • pterygoid venous plexus, in its portion surrounded by fat (the rest is within the masticator space)

• nerve

  • small branch of the mandibular division of the trigeminal nerve (cranial nerve V₃) supplying the tensor veli palatini muscle ¹⁵

• salivary tissue

  • minor or ectopic salivary gland/rests

  • retromandibular portion of the deep lobe of parotid gland, in some definitions ^1-3

Lymph nodes and muscle are not included in the radiological definition of the parapharyngeal space.

A mnemonic to remember the contents of the parapharyngeal space is FATPIG.

Boundaries

The parapharyngeal space has complex fascial margins occupying the space between the muscles of mastication and the muscles of deglutition ^1-6:

• superior: base of skull

• inferior: greater cornu of the hyoid bone, although some state the space functionally ends higher, with the styloglossus muscle at the level of the angle of the mandible ¹

• medial: middle layer of the deep cervical fascia covering the superior pharyngeal constrictor and levator and tensor veli palatini muscles

• lateral: superficial layer of the deep cervical fascia extending between styloid process and mandibular ramus, covering the parotid and lateral pterygoid muscle, although some state the fascia creates the stylomandibular tunnel through which part of the deep lobe of the parotid protrudes into the parapharyngeal space ¹

• anterior: pterygomandibular raphe and superficial layer of the deep cervical fascia covering the medial pterygoid muscle

• posterior: an extension of tensor veli palatini muscle fascia termed the tensor-vascular-styloid fascia ^1,10-12; or an extension of the fascia of the stylopharyngeus, styloglossus, and levator veli palatini muscles ^13,14

Relations

• posteromedial to the masticator space, particularly medial pterygoid muscle

• anteromedial to the parotid space

• posterolateral to the pharyngeal mucosal space

• anterolateral to the prevertebral space, retropharyngeal space, and danger space

• anterior to the carotid (poststyloid parapharyngeal) space

• overlaps with the infratemporal fossa ⁵

Radiographic features

CT/MRI

The parapharyngeal space appears triangular in the axial plane with density/signal consistent with fat.

Knowledge about the displacement patterns of fat within the parapharyngeal space will aid in the localization of lesions within adjacent deep spaces of the head and neck. A lesion arising in the: 

• masticator space displaces the parapharyngeal fat posteromedially

• parotid space displaces the parapharyngeal fat anteromedially

• pharyngeal mucosal space displaces the parapharyngeal fat posterolaterally

• retropharyngeal space, danger space, and prevertebral space displace the parapharyngeal fat anterolaterally

• carotid (poststyloid parapharyngeal) space displaces the parapharyngeal fat anteriorly

In contrast, a lesion primarily involving the parapharyngeal space will displace the carotid space posteriorly and the pharynx medially.

Related pathology

Lesions involving the (prestyloid) parapharyngeal space include ⁷:

• tumors ^8,9

  • salivary gland tumors (most common), most commonly pleomorphic adenoma

  • neurogenic tumors, such as trigeminal schwannoma

  • lipoma

• parapharyngeal abscess or phlegmon/cellulitis

• developmental lesions

  • cystic hygroma/lymphangioma

  • second branchial cleft cyst (atypical location)