Fascial Spaces of the Head and Neck Tutorial

Abstract

Abstract Knowledge of the fascial planes in the head and neck is essential for understanding the spread of infection in these regions, which can be fatal. The purpose of this web-based learning tutorial is to teach medical students, dental students, residents, physicians, and other medical providers the different fascial planes of the head and neck. While the tutorial was initially created for medical and dental students, the material is useful for any practitioner who needs to learn about the topic. Background knowledge of the anatomy in the head and neck is necessary. Users learn the different fascial layers and the network of fascial spaces (including how they connect with one another). Clinical information describes how infection can enter a space, as well as the signs and symptoms providers should look out for. Most importantly, the tutorial contains illustrations and photos created/taken by the authors, based on a dissection done specifically for this project and on the current literature. The illustrations and photos are interactive, allowing the reader to highlight specific regions and see cutaways. The illustrations were also designed to clearly show the relationships of the fascial planes and spaces to each other and to other structures of the head and neck. Illustrations and photos are repeated several times in the tutorial, with some alterations, in order to reinforce earlier concepts. The tutorial also features a quiz at the end to test the user's knowledge of the material.

Keywords

• Head
• Neck
• Anatomy
• Infection
• Tutorial
• Fascial Spaces