| parotid space | A deep hollow on the side at the sides of the face flanking the posterior aspect of the ramus of the mandible with its attached muscles which is occupied by the parotid gland; it is lined with fascial laminae (the parotid sheath) derived from the investing layer of deep cervical fascia; the structures bounding the space collectively constitute the parotid bed. Surgeons operating in the area take advantage of the fact that the anteroposterior dimensions of the parotid space increase with protrusion of the mandible. Synonym: parotid recess, recessus parotideus. (05 Mar 2000) |
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| gingival space | The space between the surface of the tooth and the free gingiva. Synonym: sulcus gingivalis, gingival crevice, gingival space, subgingival space. (05 Mar 2000) |
| Virchow-Robin space | A tunnel-like extension of the subarachnoid space surrounding blood vessels that pass into the brain or spinal cord from the subarachnoid space; the lining of the channel is composed of pia and glial feet of astrocytes; a continuation of the space around capillaries and nerve cells probably does not occur. Synonym: His' perivascular space. (05 Mar 2000) |
| Reinke's space | The loose connective tissue in the superficial layer of the lamina propria of the vocal fold. Oedema of this space produces hoarseness in chronic smokers or in hypothyroidism. (05 Mar 2000) |
| Meckel's space | The cleft in the meningeal layer of dura of the middle cranial fossa near the tip of the petrous part of the temporal bone; it encloses the roots of the trigeminal nerve and the trigeminal ganglion. Synonym: cavum trigeminale, Meckel's cavity, Meckel's space, trigeminal cavity. (05 Mar 2000) |
| medial midpalmar space | The more medial of the central palmar spaces, bounded medially by the hypothenar compartment; related distally to the synovial tendon sheaths of digits 3 and 4 and proximally to the common flexor sheath. Synonym: medial midpalmar space, middle palmar space. (05 Mar 2000) |
| mediastinal space | <anatomy> The space in the thoracic cavity behind the sternum and in between the two pleural sacs (containing the lungs). (27 Sep 1997) |
| central palmar space | The more medial of the central palmar spaces, bounded medially by the hypothenar compartment; related distally to the synovial tendon sheaths of digits 3 and 4 and proximally to the common flexor sheath. Synonym: medial midpalmar space, middle palmar space. (05 Mar 2000) |
| medullary space | The central cavity and the cellular intervals between the trabeculae of bone, filled with marrow. (05 Mar 2000) |
| respiratory dead space | That portion of the respiratory tract, from the nose and mouth to the terminal bronchioles, in which exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide does not occur (anatomical dead space), together with the space in alveoli occupied by air that does not participate in oxygen-carbon dioxide exchange (physiologic dead space). It reflects the nonuniformity of ventilation and perfusion in the lung. (12 Dec 1998) |
| retroadductor space | Potential space between the adductor pollicis and first dorsal interosseous muscles. (05 Mar 2000) |
| retroinguinal space | A triangular space between the peritoneum and the transversalis fascia, at the lower angle of which is the inguinal ligament; it contains the lower portion of the external iliac artery. Synonym: Bogros' space, spatium retroinguinale. (05 Mar 2000) |
| retromylohyoid space | The sulcus at the posterior end of the mylohyoid line. (05 Mar 2000) |
| retroperitoneal space | An area occupying the most posterior aspect of the abdominal cavity. It is bounded laterally by the borders of the quadratus lumborum muscles and extends from the diaphragm to the brim of the true pelvis, where it continues as the pelvic extraperitoneal space. (12 Dec 1998) |
| retropharyngeal space | That part of the peripharyngeal spatium located posterior to the pharynx. In the normal adult it measures 4 mm (at C3 level), but is considered abnormal when greater than 7 mm. Can be icreased with a cervical spine fracture, retropharyngeal abscess. Synonym: spatium retropharyngeum, postpharyngeal space. (21 Jun 2000) |