Deep to the superficial fascia, the deep cervical fascia is organized into several distinct layers (Fig. 8.160). These include: an investing layer, which surrounds all structures in the neck; the prevertebral layer, which surrounds the vertebral column and the deep muscles associated with the back; the pretracheal layer, which encloses the viscera of the neck; and the carotid sheaths, which receive a contribution from the other three fascial layers and surround the two major neurovascular bundles on either side of the neck.