Parapharyngeal spaces

Also called the lateral pharyngeal space.  This is a potential space between the base of the skull and the hyoid bone that overlaps with the region enclosed by the carotid sheath.  Therefore the parapharyngeal space contains:

• internal carotid a.

• internal jugular v.

• CN IX, X, XI, and XII 

• sympathetic trunk and superior cervical ganglion