The deep cervical fascia of the neck includes four parts:

• The investing layer (encloses the SCM and Trapezius)
• The carotid sheath (encloses the vascular region of the neck)
• The pretracheal fascia (encloses the visceral region of the neck)
• The prevertebral fascia (encloses the vertebral region of the neck)

Contents

The four major structures contained in the carotid sheath are:

• the common carotid artery as well as the internal carotid artery
• internal jugular vein
• the vagus nerve(CN X)
• the deep cervical lymph nodes.