16.1 Pharynx

Question 1

Identify and describe the location and relationships of the pre vertebral fascia, buccopharyngeal fascia, and retropharyngeal space.

Answer 1

• Buccopharyngeal fascia: The visceral pre tracheal fascia wraps around the anterior aspect of the tracheal structures, where it is continues as the buccopharyngeal fascia posterior to these structures. The buccopharyngeal fascia continues superiorly, wrapping around the pharynx
• Prevertebral: deep in the neck surrounding the vertebral column and associated muscles. Infection in this layer can spread laterally into the neck, into the retropharyngeal space causing bulge in pharynx, or inferiorly into the mediastinum.

Question 2

Identify the superior, middle, and inferior pharyngeal constrictors as well as the pharyngeal rap he.
Describe their relative locations.
Describe the innervation and function of this group.

Answer 2

• superior pharyngeal constrictor, attached to the pharyngeal tubercleof the occipital bone superiorly and the pterygomandibular raphe (ligament) anteriorly
• middle pharyngeal constrictor, attached to the hyoid
• inferior pharyngeal constrictor, covering most of the visible pharyngeal wall and associated with the thyroid and cricoid cartilages
• pharyngeal raphe, the posterior midline attachment for the constrictors
• Innervation: Pharyngeal plexus via the pharyngeal branch of the vagus nerve (CN X) with its motor fibers from the cranial portion of the accessory nerve (CN XI).
• Fxn: Constrict the pharynx, aid in deglutination.

Question 3

Identify and describe the pharyngobasilar fascia.

Answer 3

fills the gap between the superior pharyngeal constrictor and the occipital bone

Question 4

Identify the stylopharyngeus muscle. Describe its location, function and innervation.

Answer 4

• Styloid process to posterior thyroid cartilage.
• Fxn: elevate the larynx and the pharynx and to dilate the pharynx to permit the passage of a large food bolus, facilitating swallowing.
• Innervation: CN IX Glossopharyngeal

Question 5

Identify the Glossopharyngeal nerve (CN XI) in this region. Describe its course out of the skull.

Answer 5

Exits via jugular foramen, passes below styloid process and crosses the stylopharyngeus vertically and enters the posterior aspect of the tongue.

Question 6

Identify the vagus nerve (CN X) in this region. Describe its course out of the skull.

Answer 6

Exits skull via jugular foramen, passes through carotid sheath into mediastinum.

Question 7

Identify and describe the regions of the nasopharynx, oropharynx, and laryngopharynx.

Answer 7

Nasopharynx: above soft palate.
Oropharynx: Uvula to hyoid bone.
Laryngopharynx: from epiglottis to divergence of esophagus and trachea.

Question 8

Identify the pharyngeal tonsil (adenoids) and lingual tonsil.

Answer 8

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Question 9

Identify the soft palate, uvula, palatopharyngeal arches, epiglottis, aryepiglottic fold, and piriform recess.

Answer 9

-Aryepiglottic fold is a triangular opening at the entrance of the larynx that is narrow in front, wide behind, and sloping obliquely downward and backward.