Visceral Space Overview

Summary Thoughts: Visceral Space

The visceral space (VS) is a tubular space that occupies the midline anterior aspect of the infrahyoid neck. Extending to the superior mediastinum, the VS lies between the laterally placed carotid spaces (CS) and is completely encircled by the middle layer of deep cervical fascia (ML-DCF), also known as the visceral fascia .

While the largest VS components are the hypopharynx-larynx, trachea, and esophagus, the thyroid gland most often necessitates imaging of this space. The other key anatomic elements of the VS are not normally identifiable on routine imaging; the parathyroid glands are only evident if hyperplastic or neoplastic, and the recurrent laryngeal nerves (RLN) cannot be seen, although their course through the VS must be carefully evaluated whenever vocal cord paralysis is present. The larynx and hypopharynx are covered elsewhere.