Anatomy of pharynx Flashcards
What does the pharynx connect together?
Nasal cavity and oral cavity to larynx and oesphagus
Where does the pharynx begin?
Base of skull
Where does the pharynx end?
Inferior border of cricoid cartilage
C6 vertebral level
How many parts of the pharynx are there?
Three
What are the parts of the pharynx?
Nasopharynx
Oropharynx
Laryngopharynx
Where does the nasopharynx begin?
Base of skull
Where does the nasopharynx end?
Soft palate
What is anterior to the nasopharynx?
Nasal cavity
What does the nasopharynx contain?
Adenoid tonsils, tubal tonsils
Opening of eustachian tube
Where does the oropharynx begin?
Soft palate
Where does the oropharynx end?
Epiglottis
What is anterior to the oropharynx?
Oral cavity
What does the oropharynx contain?
Posterior 1/3 of tongue
Lingual tonsils
Palatine tonsils
Where are the lingual tonsils located in the oropharynx?
Inferiorly to tongue
Where are the palatine tonsils located in the oropharynx?
Between the palatoglossal arch anteriorly
and the palatopharyngeal arch posteriorly
Where does the laryngopharynx begin?
Glottis
Where does the laryngopharynx end?
Inferior border of cricoid cartilage
C6 vertebral level
What is anterior to the laryngopharynx?
Larynx
What is inferior to the laryngopharynx?
Oesophagus
What does the laryngpharynx contain?
The piriform fossae
What are the piriform fossae?
Recesses posteriorly to the larynx and trachea and anteriorly to the laryngopharynx
How many muscles is the pharynx made up of?
Six
What are the groups of muscles of the pharynx?
Longitudinal muscles
Circular muscles
How many longitudinal muscles of the pharynx are there?
Three
What are the longitudinal muscles of the pharynx?
Stylopharyngeus
Palatopharyngeus
Salpingopharyngeus
What does the stylopharyngeus muscle attach to?
Styloid process
Posterior border of thyroid cartilage
What does the palatopharyngeus muscle attach to?
Hard palate
Posterior border of thyroid cartilage
What does the salpingopharyngeus muscle attach to?
Eustachian tubes
Merges with palatopharyngeus
What are the innervations of the longitudinal muscles of the pharynx?
Stylopharyngeus - CN9 glossopharyngeal enrve
Palatopharyngeus, salpingopharyngeus - CN10 vagus nerve
What are the actions of the longitudinal muscles of the pharynx?
Shorten and widen pharynx
Elevate larynx
during swallowing
Salpingopharyngeus - opens eustachian tue to equalise pressure in middle ear with atmosphere
How many circular muscles of the pharynx are there?
Three
What are the circular muscles of the pharynx?
Superior pharyngeal constrictor
Middle pharyngeal constrictor
Inferior pharyngeal constrictor
What do the circular muscles of the pharynx attach to?
Posteriorly attach to midline raphe
What is the innervation of the circular muscles of the pharynx?
All by CN10 vagus nerve
What are the actions of the circular muscles of the pharynx?
Contrct sequentially
constrict pharynx
propel bolus inferiorly into oesophagus
Where does the superior pharyngeal constrictor muscle begin?
Pterygomandibular raphe
What are the parts of the inferior pharyngeal constrictor muscle?
Thyropharyngeal
Cricopharyngeal
What do the parts of the inferior pharyngeal constrictor muscle attach to?
Thyropharyngeal part attaches to thyroid cartilage anteriorly
Cricopharyngeal part attaches to cricoid cartilage anteriorly
both parts attach to midline raphe posteriorly
What is the sensory innervation of the pharynx?
Nasopharynx - maxillary branch of CN5 trigeminal
Oropharynx - CN9 glossopharyngeal
Laryngopharynx - CN10 vagus
