Defining the fat compartments in the neck: A cadaver study

Abstract

Background: Cervicoplasty is an important component of aesthetic facial and neck surgery, but the fat content in this area has not been described. Objectives: The authors identify anatomic compartments of fat in the neck (specifically the areas relevant to surgical management), quantify the fat in each compartment, and describe the relationships between each compartment and the submandibular glands. Methods: The skin was removed from 10 fresh cadaver heads. Each compartment of fat was weighed, along with the submandibular gland. Supraplatysmal fat was found between the skin and the platysma muscle, and it was compartmentalized into suprahyoid and infrahyoid fat. Subplatysmal fat was found deep to the platysma and between the medial edges of the anterior digastric in the midline; this fat also fell into suprahyoid and infrahyoid compartments. The "very deep" fat was deep to the anterior digastric muscles and submandibular gland, and adherent to the strap muscles. Results: On average, supraplatysmal fat represented 44.7% of the fat in the neck, the subplatysmal fat represented 30.7%, and the submandibular gland represented 24.5%. The very deep fat was scant, representing less than 1% of the fat in the neck. Conclusions: This anatomic study provides a comprehensive review of fat in the neck, and the results should serve as an additional guide as surgeons approach this challenging area in surgical rejuvenation. © 2014 The American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, Inc.