{{set index article In anatomy, a spatium or anatomic space is a space (cavity or gap). Anatomic spaces are often landmarks to find other important structures. When they fill with gases (such as air) or liquids (such as blood) in pathological ways, they can suffer conditions such as pneumothorax,

edema Edema, also spelled oedema, and also known as fluid retention, dropsy, hydropsy and swelling, is the build-up of fluid in the body's Tissue (biology), tissue. Most commonly, the legs or arms are affected. Symptoms may include skin which feels t ...

, or pericardial effusion. Many anatomic spaces are potential spaces, which means that they are potential rather than realized (with their realization being dynamic according to physiologic or

pathophysiologic Pathophysiology ( physiopathology) – a convergence of pathology with physiology – is the study of the disordered physiological processes that cause, result from, or are otherwise associated with a disease or injury. Pathology is the ...

events). In other words, they are like an empty plastic bag that has not been opened (two walls collapsed against each other; no interior volume until opened) or a balloon that has not been inflated. Examples of anatomic spaces (or potential spaces) include: * Axillary space * Buccal space *

Canine space The canine space (also termed the infra-orbital space), is a fascial space of the head and neck (sometimes also termed fascial spaces or tissue spaces). It is a thin potential space on the face, and is paired on either side. It is located between ...

* Cystohepatic triangle * Deep perineal space *

Deep temporal space The deep temporal space is a fascial space of the head and neck (sometimes also termed fascial spaces or tissue spaces). It is a potential space in the side of the head, and is paired on either side. It is located deep to the temporalis muscle T ...

* Epidural space *

Extraperitoneal space The extraperitoneal space is the portion of the abdomen and pelvis which does not lie within the peritoneum. It includes: * Retroperitoneal space, situated posteriorly to the peritoneum * ''Preperitoneal space'', situated anteriorly to the periton ...

* Fascial spaces of the head and neck *

Infratemporal space The Infratemporal space (also termed the infra-temporal space or the infra-temporal portion of the deep temporal space) is a fascial space of the head and neck (sometimes also termed fascial spaces or tissue spaces). It is a potential space in th ...

* Intercostal space * Intermembrane space * Interstitial spaces *

Mental space The mental space is a theoretical construct proposed by Gilles Fauconnier corresponding to possible worlds in truth-conditional semantics. The main difference between a mental space and a possible world is that a mental space does not contain a fa ...

Pericardial space The pericardium, also called pericardial sac, is a double-walled sac containing the heart and the roots of the great vessels. It has two layers, an outer layer made of strong connective tissue (fibrous pericardium), and an inner layer made ...

* Intraperitoneal space * Pleural space * Potential space * Pterygomandibular space * Quadrangular space * Retroperitoneal space * Retropharyngeal space * Retropubic space *

Subarachnoid space In anatomy, the meninges (, ''singular:'' meninx ( or ), ) are the three membranes that envelop the brain and spinal cord. In mammals, the meninges are the dura mater, the arachnoid mater, and the pia mater. Cerebrospinal fluid is located in th ...

* Subdural space *

Sublingual space The sublingual space is a fascial space of the head and neck (sometimes also termed fascial spaces or tissue spaces). It is a potential space located below the mouth and above the mylohyoid muscle, and is part of the suprahyoid group of fascial sp ...

Submandibular space The submandibular space is a fascial space of the head and neck (sometimes also termed fascial spaces or tissue spaces). It is a potential space, and is paired on either side, located on the superficial surface of the mylohyoid muscle between the ...

Submasseteric space The submasseterric space (also termed the masseteric space) is a fascial space of the head and neck (sometimes also termed fascial spaces or tissue spaces). It is a potential space in the face over the angle of the jaw, and is paired on each side. ...

Traube's space Traube's (semilunar) space is an anatomic space of some clinical importance. It is a crescent-shaped space, encompassed by the lower edge of the left lung, the anterior border of the spleen, the left costal margin and the inferior margin of the lef ...

See also