The parapharyngeal space is a region below the base of the skull which the surgeon approaches with the greatest respect. This is partly because of its inaccessibility, and partly because it is crossed by the large vessels to and from the brain, with a rich network of branches. The greater part of the parapharyngeal space consists of a narrow connective tissue interval, bordered medially by the pharyngeal wall, anteriorly by the internal pterygoid muscle, posteriorly by the prevertebral fascia, and laterally by the parotid capsule. Since several structures pass through the space, it is divided into an anterior and a posterior portion. The styloid process with its muscle attachments enters the parapharyngeal space from above (Fig 1). At this site, the styloid process gives origin to the styloglossus and stylopharyngeus muscles, which run obliquely forward and medially. Behind these muscles run the large vessels coming from the skull, namely the