Anatomy of Pharynx Flashcards
What is the pharynx?
Essentially a muscular tube
What does the pharynx arise from?
The base of the skull
Where does the pharynx extend down to?
The level of C6
What does the pharynx form?
The upper part of the alimentary canal
What is the pharynx posterior to?
The nasal and oral cavities
Where is the pharynx widest?
Opposite the hyoid bone
Where is the pharynx narrowest?
At its inferior end
What happens to the pharynx at its inferior end?
It becomes continuous with the oesophagus
Where does the posterior wall of the pharynx lie?
Against the prevertebral layer of deep cervical fascia
What is the pharynx divided into?
Three parts/areas;
- Nasopharynx
- Oropharynx
- Laryngopharynx
Where does the nasopharynx lie?
Superior to the soft palate
What is the upper boundary of the nasopharynx?
The base of the skull
What is the relationship between the nasooharynx and the nasal cavities?
It is a posterior extension of the nasal cavities, opening into it through two chonae
What vertebraes lies posteriorly to the nasopharynx?
C1
What structures lie within the nasopharynx?
- Oriface of pharyngotympanic tube
- Collection of lymphoid tissue - the pharyngeal tonsil, or adenoids
Where does the oropharynx extend?
From the level of the soft palate to the superior border of the epiglottis
What vertebrae lie posteriorly to the oropharynx?
C2 and C3
What structures are in the oropharynx?
Palatine tonsils
Where do the palatine tonsils lie?
On either side, in the interval between palatoglossal and palatopharyngeal arches
Where is the laryngopharynx?
Posterior to the larynx
Where does the laryngopharynx extend?
From the epiglottis to oesophagus, at the level of the inferior border of the cricoid cartilage
What vertebral bodies lie posteriorly to the laryngopharynx?
C3-6
What does the laryngopharyngeal cavity have on each side of the laryngeal inlet?
A small depression - the piriform fossa
What do the walls of the larynx consist of externally?
Superior, middle, and inferior constrictors
