Buccopharyngeal fascia
Fascia buccopharyngea
- Latin synonym: Fascia buccopharyngealis
Definition
The buccopharyngeal fascia is the posterior layer of the visceral part of the pretracheal fascia that covers the external surface of the pharyngeal constrictor muscles and extends superiorly to the base of the skull. Anteriorly, it continues forward to invest the buccinator muscle, hence the name bucco-pharyngeal.
It forms the outermost fascial layer of the pharyngeal wall, separating it from the retropharyngeal space posteriorly, and provides a smooth gliding surface that allows movement of the pharynx and esophagus during swallowing and neck motion.
Clinically, the buccopharyngeal fascia is significant because infections deep to it can spread posteriorly into the retropharyngeal or “danger” spaces, potentially tracking downward into the superior mediastinum.
References
Gray, H. (2016) Gray’s Anatomy: The Anatomical Basis of Clinical Practice. 41st edn. Edited by S. Standring. New York: Elsevier. Chapter 29: Neck, pp. 445-447.
Sutcliffe P, Lasrado S. Anatomy, Head and Neck, Deep Cervical Neck Fascia. [Updated 2023 Jul 25]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2025 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK541091/
Mnatsakanian A, Minutello K, Black AC, et al. Anatomy, Head and Neck, Retropharyngeal Space. [Updated 2023 Jul 30]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2025 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK537044/
