It is useful to conceptualize the anatomy of the neck/face by several complementary ways. These include: individual structures, spaces, sites/subsites, and lymph node levels.

Individual structures refer to discrete anatomic entities, for example a false vocal fold or hyoid bone.

The concept of spaces, or anatomic regions bound by and containing specific structures, is useful to help localize pathology, understand how pathology such as infection spreads or is confined, and formulate a differential diagnosis. Spaces of the neck are defined by thin layers of cervical fascia that are not well visualized on imaging. The mouth and orbits can also be defined by spaces.

Head and neck cancer staging (T-stage) relies on the designation of sites and subsites. This concept applies to both soft tissue and osseous structures such as the oral cavity, pharynx, nasal cavity, and paranasal sinuses. A few examples are briefly introduced here. More information is available at cancerstaging.org.

The final important category is lymph node level. This language is also important to understand for cancer staging (N stage) and communication of lymph node location prior to intervention.

Lastly, unlike the brain, familiarity of the normal appearance of fat planes of the face and neck separating key structures is vital to image interpretation.