Abscess Progression in the Neck: A Saliva Flow Sequence

How do abscesses typically progress through spaces in the neck?

A) Abscess >> carotid sheath >> sublingual space >> submandibular space

B) Abscess >> submandibular space >> sublingual space

C) Abscess >> infratemporal space >> submandibular and sublingual spaces

D) Abscess >> sublingual space >> submandibular space

Answer:

Abscesses in the neck typically follow the path of saliva flow, starting from the location of the abscess and moving to the sublingual space (below the tongue), and then to the submandibular space (associated with submandibular glands). Thus, the correct sequence is Abscess > Sublingual space > Submandibular space.

The progression of abscesses through spaces in the neck typically follows the flow of saliva since this can be a pathway for infection. Thus, the sequence often starts from an abscess and then moves onward to the sublingual space, which lies below the tongue, and is where the sublingual glands secrete saliva into the oral cavity through the lesser sublingual ducts. From there, the abscess often disseminates to the submandibular space, a region associated with the submandibular glands and their respective ducts. Therefore, the general progression of abscesses in the neck tends to follow this pattern: Abscess > Sublingual space > Submandibular space.