The retropharyngeal space lies between which fascia layers?

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The retropharyngeal space is the plane between the buccopharyngeal fascia, which covers the pharynx and esophagus, and the alar fascia, a deeper layer that runs from the skull base down into the superior mediastinum. This boundary places the retropharyngeal space in front of the alar fascia, with the prevertebral fascia located behind it forming the posterior boundary of the deeper danger space. Knowing this boundary helps explain why infections from the pharynx can track downward along this space toward the mediastinum. The other layer pair doesn’t define this space’s anterior-posterior boundary, so they aren’t correct boundaries for the retropharyngeal space.