fascial spaces of the head and neck

Fascial spaces (also termed fascial tissue spaces, or tissue spaces), are potential spaces that exist between the fascia and underlying organs and other tissues. In health, these spaces do not exist, they are only created by pathology. E.g. the spread of pus or cellulitis in an infection. The fascial spaces can also be opened during the dissection of a cadaver. The fascial spaces are different from the fascia itself, which are bands of connective tissue that surrounds structures, e.g. muscles. The opening of fascial spaces may be facilitated by pathogenic bacterial release of enzymes which cause tissue lysis (e.g. hyaluronidase and collagenase). The spaces filled with loose areolar connective tissue may also be termed clefts. Other contents such as salivary glands, blood vessels, nerves or lymph nodes are dependent upon the location of the space. Those containing neurovascular tissue (nerves and blood vessels) may also be termed compartments.