The parapharyngeal adipose corpus: morphologic study.

The parapharyngeal adipose corpus is a well limited adipose structure lying deep in the prestylian space, close to the lateral wall of the upper part of the pharynx. Macroscopic and microscopic anatomic sections were made and compared with CT and MR sectional imaging. The walls and contents of the parapharyngeal adipose corpus are described on the basis of anatomic sections and are symmetrically visualized by sectional imaging in the axial and coronal planes. A knowledge of its relations explains its role in imaging as an early marker of invasive tumoral processes. It is in continuity with the upper part of the buccal fat pad and presents the same functional characteristics of a gliding structure.