Anatomy of Pharynx Flashcards
1
Q
What is the pharynx?
A
Muscular tube connecting nasal cavity, larynx, oesophagus
2
Q
At what level of cervical vertebrae does the pharynx end?
A
C6
3
Q
Name the 3 compartments of the pharynx
A
Nasopharynx
Oropharynx
Laryngopharynx
4
Q
List the 3 functions of the pharynx
A
1- To pass food across the airway safely in swallowing
2- Directs air flow via oral cavity for maximum air flow
3- Closes the upper airway from the oral cavity in chewing and swallowing
5
Q
What are the 3 openings of the larynx?
A
Nasal cavity
Oral cavity
Opening of larynx
6
Q
Where does the pharynx attach at the top?
A
Basioccipital bone
7
Q
What does the pharynx have anterior attachments to?
A
Occipital bone
Sphenoid
Mandibular body
Hyoid, thyroid and cricoid cartilages
8
Q
What is a raphe?
A
Ridge/seam in an organ or tissue with marks where two lines fuse in the embryo
9
Q
What are the 3 functions of the muscles of the pharynx?
A
1- Assists movements of the soft palate
2- Constricts the pharynx to move boli of food along
3- Lifts pharynx as a whole
10
Q
What are the 2 types of muscles of the pharynx?
A
Circular
Longitudinal
11
Q
How many circular muscles are there?
A
3
12
Q
Name the 3 circular pharynx muscles
A
Superior pharyngeal constrictor
Middle pharyngeal constrictor
Inferior pharyngeal constrictor
13
Q
Name the 3 longitudinal pharynx muscles
A
Stylopharyngeus
Palatopharyngeus
Salpingopharyngeus
14
Q
Where in the pharynx is superior pharyngeal constrictor found?
A
Oropharynx
15
Q
Where in the pharynx is the middle pharyngeal constrictor found?
A
Laryngopharynx
16
Q
Where in the pharynx is the inferior pharyngeal constrictor found?
A
Laryngopharynx
17
Q
What are all the circular pharyngeal muscles innervated by?
A
Vagus nerve
17
Q
What are all the circular pharyngeal muscles innervated by?
A
Vagus nerve
18
Q
How many longitudinal pharyngeal muscles are there?
A
3
19
Q
What is the main function of the circular pharyngeal muscles?
A
To constrict lumen to propel food into the oesophagus
20
Q
What is the main function of the longitudinal muscles of the pharynx?
A
To widen and shorten the pharynx, elevates larynx in swallowing
21
Q
What nerve innervates the stylopharyngeus?
A
Glossopharyngeal nerve
22
Q
What nerve innervates palatopharyngeus?
A
Vagus nerve
23
Q
What nerve innervates salpingopharyngeus?
A
Vagus nerve
24
Name 5 muscles that are classed as muscles of the soft palate?
Tensor veli palatini
Levator veli palatini
Palatoglossus
Palatopharyngeus
Superior pharyngeal constrictor
25
What nerve innervates tensor veli palatini?
Mandibular division of trigeminal
26
What nerve innervates levator veli palatini?
Vagus nerve
27
What nerve innervates palatoglossus?
Vagus nerve
28
What is the function of tensor veli palatini?
Tenses the soft palate so it is tight
29
What is the function of levator veli palatini?
Elevates the soft palate
30
What is the function of palatoglossus?
Lowers the soft palate
31
What is the function of the superior constrictor of pharynx?
Lifts and closes the sphincter of soft palate
32
What is the function of palatopharyngeus?
Lowers posterior side of palatopharyngeus
33
Why would you want to close the sphincter of the soft palate?
To close off the nasopharynx from the oropharynx
34
Where are the pharyngeal tonsils found?
In the folds of the pharyngeal arch
35
What nerves make up the pharyngeal plexus?
Pharyngeal branch of vagus nerve
Glossopharyngeal nerve
Sympathetic fibres from superior cervical ganglion
36
What nerves make up the motor supply to the pharynx?
Vagus nerve
Accessory nerve
Glossopharyngeal
37
What nerve gives sensory innervation to the nasopharynx?
Maxillary nerve of trigeminal
38
What nerve gives sensory innervation to the oropharynx?
Glossopharyngeal nerve (gag reflex)
39
What nerve gives sensory innervation to the laryngopharynx?
Sensory laryngeal nerve of the vagus nerve
40
What is the main artery supplies the pharynx?
External carotid artery
41
List the 4 branches of the external carotid artery that supplies the pharynx?
Ascending pharyngeal
Lingual
Facial
Maxillary
42
How does venous blood drain from the pharynx?
Drains through the pharyngeal venous plexus, which drains into internal jugular vein
42
How does venous blood drain from the pharynx?
Drains through the pharyngeal venous plexus, which drains into internal jugular vein
43
What are the 4 tonsils of the pharynx?
Adenoids
Tubar tonsils
Palatine tonsils
Lingual tonsils
44
What are tonsils?
Collection of lymphoid tissues, covered by mucous membrane. Found at the junction between the oral cavity->pharynx and nasal cavity->pharynx
45
What cartilage is found on the anterior of the thyroid cartilage?
Epiglottis
Cricoid cartilage
45
What cartilage is found on the anterior of the thyroid cartilage?
Epiglottis
Cricoid cartilage
46
What is the function of the nasopharynx?
Respiratory function, conditions inspired air and propogates it to the larynx
47
What are the types of cells found on the nasopharynx?
Ciliated pseudo-stratified columnar epithelium with goblet cells
47
What are the types of cells found on the nasopharynx?
Ciliated pseudo-stratified columnar epithelium with goblet cells
48
What tonsils are found in the nasopharynx?
Adenoid tonsils
49
In which section of the pharynx is the the auditory tube opening?
Nasopharynx
50
What does the auditory tube connect?
The anterior wall of the tympanic cavity too the nasopharynx
51
What is the composition of the auditory tube?
Anterior 2 thirds is cartilaginous
Posterior third is bony
52
Which tonsils are in close proximity to the opening of the auditory tube to the nasopharynx?
Tubar tonsils
53
Name the muscle of the soft palate that helps to close the auditory tube
Tensor tympani
54
What nerves give innervation to tensor tympani?
Vagus nerve
Madibular division of trigeminal
55
What is the purpose of the auditory tube?
Exchanges pressure between the ear and the mouth
56
What is the purpose of the auditory tube?
Exchanges pressure between the ear and the mouth
57
How does the opening and closing of the auditory tube allow the equalising of pressure?
Mouth movements can move the mucosa to open the tube, allowing air pressure to equalise in the ear
58
Why does the auditory tube have to be flexible?
Because the tube also grows as you grow into an adult
58
Why does the auditory tube have to be flexible?
Because the tube also grows as you grow into an adult
59
Why are middle ear infections more common in children?
The auditory tube is a lot shorter in children than in adults
60
What are the piriform fossae?
Depression of the mucous membrane on each side of the laryngeal inlet
61
What is the function of the piriform fossae and the valleculae of the tounge?
They channel food and water around the laryngeal inlet to prevent choking
62
Where are the valleculae of the tongue found in relation to the pharynx?
Anterior to the pharynx
63
Why do adenoid tonsils enlarge?
Can enlarge due to viral infections of the upper respiratory tract
64
How do enlarged adenoid tonsils obstruct pressure equalisation?
They can obstruct the opening of the Eustachian tube, thereby preventing pressure equalisation
64
How do enlarged adenoid tonsils obstruct pressure equalisation?
They can obstruct the opening of the Eustachian tube, thereby preventing pressure equalisation
65
Name the disease that can occur from the blockage of the Eustachian tube
Chronic otitis media (with effusion, fluids cannot drain - glue ear)
66
What is found in the oropharynx?
The posterior third of the tongue
66
What is found in the oropharynx?
The posterior third of the tongue
67
Where are the lingual tonsils located in the oropharynx?
Inferiorly to the tongue
68
Where are the palatine tonsils located in the oropharynx?
In tonsillar fossa between palatoglossal and palatopharyngeal arches of oral cavity
69
Which muscle of the pharynx is most associated with phases of swallowing?
Superior constrictor muscle of pharynx
70
What is tonsillitis?
Red, enlarged palatine tonsils and jugulo-digastric lymph nodes
71
How is chronic infection of palatine tonsils treated?
Tonsillectomy
72
What are the main arteries that would bleed in a tonsillectomy?
External palatine vein
Tonsillar branch of facial artery
73
What happens if tonsillitis spreads to the peritonsillar tissue?
Can cause an abscess to form, which can lead to deviation of the uvula (quinsy)
74
How is enlargement of palatine tonsils treated?
Draining the abscess and antibiotics
75
What 2 parts can the inferior pharyngeal constrictor be divided into?
Thyropharyngeus
Cricopharyngeus
76
What is the action of the inferior pharyngeal constrictor in swallowing?
Thyropharyngeus contracts, cricopharynxgeus relaxes
Bolus of food can then be propelled into oesphagus to prevent the intrapharyngeal pressure form increasing
77
What happens if the relaxation and contraction of the inferior pharyngeal constrictor cannot occur?
Pharyngeal mucosa forms a midline diverticulum between the thyropharyngeus and cricopharyngeus, where food can accumulate -> dysphagia
77
What happens if the relaxation and contraction of the inferior pharyngeal constrictor cannot occur?
Pharyngeal mucosa forms a midline diverticulum between the thyropharyngeus and cricopharyngeus, where food can accumulate -> dysphagia
78
What are the 4 main stages of swallowing?
1- Trap the bolus in the anterior part of oral cavity
2- Move bolus from mouth to entrance of pharynx
3- Allow bolus to enter oesophagus whilst closing the entrance to the larynx and nasal cavity
4- transport bolus through oesophagus to the stomach
79
What happens to breathing during swallowing?
There is a brief interruption of breathing
80
Outline the oral preparatory phase of swallowing
1- Lips are closed (uses muscles of facial expression)
2- Food is squeezed from oral vestibule between teeth (lips and buccinator)
3- Oral cavity sealed posteriorly by depressing soft palate against back of the tongue
81
Outline the oral phase of swallowing
1- Tongue is raised against hard palate to push the bolus backward
2- Mandible is elevated and hyoid bone is raised (prevents food entering the larynx)
3- Soft palate elevated to close off nasopharynx and direct bolus to oropharynx
82
What triggers the pharyngeal phase of swallowing?
Food bolus touching the back of the oropharynx
83
Outline the pharyngeal phase of swallowing
1- Sequential contraction of pharyngeal constrictors
2- Bolus contacts epiglottis, folds it back over the laryngeal inlet
3- Respiration stops
4- Vestibular and vocal folds are adducted strongly (prevent food entering)
84
Outline the oesophageal phase of swallowing
1- Cricopharyngeus contracts to initiate passage of bolus through oesphagus
2- Vagal nuclei conducts a wave of contraction of circular muscles down the oesphagus
85
How is the larynx protected during swallowing?
It is lifted away, and closed by epiglottis
Valleculae of tongue guide food away from it
86
In what situation would an elderly person have to relearn the swallowing reflex?
If they suffer a stroke and lose proprioception and coordination
