parapharyngeal space
(PAYR-uh-fuh-RIN-jee-ul …)
A triangular area near the pharynx (throat), between the base of the skull and the hyoid bone (the bone under the tongue). The parapharyngeal space is in the deep tissues of the neck and contains mostly fat, as well as blood vessels (including the carotid artery and jugular vein), nerves, lymph nodes, and parts of the salivary gland.