====== Retropharyngeal Approach ======

see [[High Cervical Anterolateral Retropharyngeal Approach]].

Medial extrapharyngeal approach: medial to carotid sheath. Provides a more anterior position than the lateral [[retropharyngeal approach]]. Structures encountered: branches of [[external carotid artery]], upper laryngeal nerves, [[hypoglossal nerve]]

● lateral retropharyngeal approach: only the spinal accessory nerve is encountered