10.2 The Pharynx and Disorders of the Pharynx Flashcards
Where is the nasopharynx?
Between base of skull and start of soft palate
What epithelium is found in the nasopharynx?
Pseudostratified ciliated columnar epithelium
What does the nasopharynx contain?
Adenoids and eustachian tube orifice
Where is the oropharynx?
Behind oral cavity. From soft palate to superior border of epiglottis
What epithelium is found in the oropharynx?
Stratifies squamous epithelium
What does the oropharynx contain?
Palatine tonsils
What are the palatine tonsils?
Lymphoid tissue covered in squamous epithelium and encapsulated in large crypts.
Where are the palatine tonsils found within the oropharynx?
Between the palatoglossal arch (anterior) and palatopharyngeal (posterior) arch
What are the 4 types of lymph tissue which make up Waldeyer’s ring?
Pharyngeal
Tubal
Palatine
Lingual
Where is the epiglottis?
Between superior border of epiglottis and inferior border of cricoid cartilage
What type of epithelia is found in the laryngopharynx?
Stratified squamous epithelium
What does the laryngopharynx open up into posteriorly?
Oesophagus
What does the laryngopharynx open up into anteriorly?
Trachea
What nerve provides sensory innervation to the nasopharynx?
Maxillary nerve
What nerve provides sensory innervation to the oropharynx?
Glossophayngeal nerve
What nerve provides sensory innervation to the laryngopharynx?
Vagus nerve
Which vessels supply the pharynx?
Ascending pharyngeal
Lingual
Facial
Maxillary
What vessels drain the pharynx?
Pharyngeal venous plexus
Name the 3 circular muscles around the pharynx
Superior constrictor
Middle constrictor
Inferior constrictor
What nerve innervates the constrictor muscles of the pharynx?
Vagus
Where do the constrictor muscles attach to posteriorly?
Anterior raphe
What are the 2 parts of the inferior constrictor?
Thyropharyngeus
Cricopharyngeus
Name the 3 longitudinal muscles of the pharynx
Stylopharyngeus
Palatopharyngeus
Salpingopharyngeus
Where is the pathway of the stylopharyngeus muscle?
Styloid process to pharynx
Where is the pathway of the palatopharyngeus muscle?
Hard palate to pharynx
Where is the pathway of the salpingopharyngeus muscle?
Eustachian tube to pharynx
Which nerve innervates the stylopharyngeus muscle?
Glossophayngeal nerve
Which nerve innervates the salpingopharyngeus and palatopharyngeus muscle?
Vagus nerve
How is the pharynx involved with swallowing?
Food pushed from oral cavity to oropharynx
Tongue and suprahyoid muscles pull hyoid and larynx up
Soft palate elevates and nasopharynx is sealed off
Superior constrictors contract
Food bolus passes into laryngopharynx using middle and inferior constricters
Cricopharyngeus relaxes
What are the effects on enlarged adenoids?
Mouth breathing Hyponasal speech Breastfeeding difficulty Snoring Otitis media
What is obstructive sleep apnoea?
Partial airway constriction when sleeping. Results in snoring and daytime tiredness
What is an adenoidectomy?
Removal of the adenoids
What is a tonsilectomy?
Removal of pallatine tonsils
What is a pharyngeal pouch?
Posterior herniation of the pharyngeal mucosa through the gap between the 2 parts of the inferior constrictor muscle. Incoordination of swallowing, cricopharyngea spasms and bad breath
