A4 - pharynx and larynx Flashcards
the pharynx is a muscular tube that connects what?
the oral and nasal cavity to the larynx and oesophagus
where does the pharynx begin and end?
begins at base of skull and ends at the inferior border of the cricoid cartilage (C6)
what are the 3 parts of the pharynx?
1) nasopharynx - posterior to the nose and superior to the soft palate
2) oropharynx - posterior to the mouth
3) laryngopharynx - posterior to the larynx
where is the nasopharynx?
between base of skull and the soft palate
the nasopharynx is continuous with the nasal cavity and performs what function?
a respiratory function by conditioning inspired air and propagating it into the larynx
the nose opens into the nasopharynx though what?
2 choanae
what is the nasopharynx lined with?
respiratory epithelium = ciliated pseudostratified columnar epithelium with goblet cells
what does the posterosuperior nasopharynx contain?
adenoid tonsils (aka pharyngeal tonsils) — enlarge between 3-8 years then regress
what does the pharyngotympanic tube do?
connects the middle ear to the nasopharynx and drains mucous from the middle ear
there is a lot of _____ tissue, which forms an incomplete _____ ring around the superior part of the pharynx. the tissue is aggregated in certain places, forming _____
there is a lot of lymphoid tissue, which forms an incomplete tonsillar ring around the superior part of the pharynx. the tissue is aggregated in certain places, forming tonsils
what is another name for the adenoids?
pharyngeal tonsils
where is the pharyngeal tonsil found?
in the mucous membrane of the roof and posterior wall of the nasopharynx
where is the tubal tonsil?
lies in the submucosa near the pharyngeal opening of the pharyngotympanic tube
what is the oropharynx bounded by?
the soft palate superiorly, the base of the tongue inferiorly, and the palatoglossal and palatopharyngeal arches laterally
where does the oropharynx extend?
from the soft palate to the superior border of the epiglottis
what type of function does the oropharynx have?
digestive
what is the oropharynx lined with?
stratified squamous epithelium
the opening of the oropharynx viewed from the mouth is called the what?
fauces
what are the palatine tonsils?
collections of lymphoid tissue on each side of the oropharynx in the interval between the palatine arches — these tonsils however do not fill the fossa between the arches in adults
what also protrudes into the oropharynx?
uvula
what is Waldeyer’s ring?
the ring of lymphoid tissue (MALT - mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue) which surrounds the naso and oropharynx. this collection of lymphoid tissue consists of the pharyngeal tonsils (adenoids), palatine tonsils and lingual tonsils. the purpose of this ring is too produce B cells, which act as the first line of defence against exogenous aggressors that have been inhaled or ingested.
the lingual tonsils are located on the dorsal surface of the base of the tongue
what does Waldeyer’s ring consist of?
- pharyngeal tonsil
- tubal tonsil x2
- palatine tonsil x2
- lingual tonsil
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