CERVICAL FASCIA VS. FORWARD HEAD POSTURE ā [OSTEOPATHIC LINKS & PATHOLOGY] ā From my previous post you know the anterior cervical region houses the carotid artery, jugular vein, thyroid, trachea, esophagus and vagus nerve to name a few. All of these important structures are āhousedā within the cervical fascia and itās compartments. ā The investing layer (external layer) of deep cervical fascia envelopes the upper trapezius muscle and SCM while continuous with the platysma (Pic 2). The third illustration (inspired by Poirier) demonstrates the next deepest layer, the pretracheal layer of deep cervical fascia (SCM removed). This layer attaches to the hyoid bone and forms pockets for the sternohyoid and omohyoid (more lateral) muscles (Pic 4). This layer has many intersecting and crossing collagen fibers, making a āweave-likeā appearance. This tissue is also the envelope for the thyroid, thyroid cartilage and trachea and called middle layer of deep cervical fascia (deep to the infrahyoid strap muscles). ā The fifth illustration shows a 3D coronal view of the fascial compartments in geographical relationship to the trachea, esophagus and cervical vertebrae. ā Tension on the pretracheal layer of deep cervical fascia, which is very common in āForward Head Postureā, can affect the hyoid bone, thyroid, esophagus, trachea and even the pericardium resulting in visceral complaints as well as typical mechanical neck pains (Pic 6/7). ā Fascia is responsible for the links between the musculoskeletal systems and visceral systems. Donāt forget to observe this important organ when you treat patients and not only focus on single structures! ā Credit: @AnatomyLinks ā #anatomy #anatomie #fascia #biomechanics #neck #tensegrity #neck #neckpain #textneck #fascial #chiropractic #osteopathy #physicaltherapy #yoga #physio #massage #manualtherapy #acupuncture #dryneedling #thyroid #softtissue #muscle #pilates #osteopathie #rolfing #crossfit #manualtherapy #dr #medicine #student #medstudent #fascialanatomy (hier: Shanghai, China) https://www.instagram.com/p/B3gd3e_CaI5/?igshid=iomvgbwnn2yo