Anatomy of the pharynx

Question 1

What vertebral levels does the pharynx extend to and from?

Answer 1

The pharynx extends from the base of the skull and continues to C6, where it becomes continuous with the esophagus.

Question 2

Where is the nasopharynx located?

Answer 2

Posterior to the nasal cavaties.

Question 3

Where is the oropharynx located?

Answer 3

Posterior to the oral cavity.

Question 4

Where is the laryngopharynx located?

Answer 4

Posterior to the larynx.

Question 5

What is the salpingopharyngeal fold?

Answer 5

A fold of mucosa overlying the salpingopharyngeus.

Question 6

What is the levator pad?

Answer 6

A fold of mucosa overlying the levator veli palatini muscle.

Question 7

What two structures does the auditory tube connect?

Answer 7

The middle ear and the nasopharynx.

Question 8

What is the only pharyngeal muscle not innervated by the vagus nerve?

Answer 8

The stylopharyngeous. It is instead derived from pharyngeal arch 3 and therefore innervated by the glossopharyngeal nerve (CN IX).

Question 9

What is the attachment of the superior constrictor?

Answer 9

The base of the skull and pharyngeal raphe.

Question 10

What is the innervation of the superior constrictor?

Answer 10

Vagus nerve via the pharyngeal plexus.

Question 11

What is the function of the superior constrictor?

Answer 11

Assists with closing the nasopharynx during swallowing.

Question 12

What is the attachment of the middle constrictor?

Answer 12

The hyoid bone and pharyngeal raphe.

Question 13

What is the innervation of the middle constrictor?

Answer 13

Vagus nerve via the pharyngeal plexus.

Question 14

What is the function of the middle constrictor?

Answer 14

Forces bolus of food down pharynx during swallowing.

Question 15

What is the attachment of the inferior constrictor?

Answer 15

The thyroid and cricoid cartilages (and the pharyngeal raphe).

Question 16

What is the innervation of the inferior constrictor?

Answer 16

Vagus via the pharyngeal plexus (from external laryngeal and pharyngeal branches).

Question 17

What is the function of the inferior constrictor?

Answer 17

Forces the bolus of food down the pharynx during swallowing.

Question 18

What is the origin and insertion of the stylopharyngeus?

Answer 18

It originates on the styloid process and inserts on the thyroid cartilage.

Question 19

What is the function of the stylopharyngeus?

Answer 19

Elevates the pharynx to receive the bolus of food during swallowing.

Question 20

What is the innervation of the stylopharyngeus?

Answer 20

Glossopharyngeal nerve.

Question 21

What is the origin and insertion of the salpingopharyngeus muscle?

Answer 21

It originates on the cartilage of the auditory tube and inserts on the thyroid cartilage.

Question 22

What is the function of the salpingopharyngeus?

Answer 22

Assists the stylopharyngeus and palatopharyngeus during swallowing.

Question 23

What is the innervation of the salpingopharyngeus?

Answer 23

Vagus nerve

Question 24

What is a Zenkers’s diverticulum?

Answer 24

When an out-pouch develops in the area of weakness of the inferior constrictor. Can result in dysphagia, and food can collect in the diverticulum.

Question 25

What provides general sensation (GSA) in the pharyngeal plexus?

Answer 25

Branches from glossopharyngeal (CN IX)

Question 26

What provides motor (SVE) innervation in the pharyngeal plexus?

Answer 26

Branches from the vagus nerve (except for stylopharyngeus, which is innervated by CN IX).

Question 27

What provides parasympathetic (GVE-P) innervation in the pharyngeal plexus?

Answer 27

Branches from the vagus nerve.

Question 28

What provides sympathetic (GVE-S) innervation in the pharyngeal plexus?

Answer 28

It comes directly from the sympathetic chain.

Question 29

What comprises the afferent limb of the gag reflex?

Answer 29

The glossopharyngeal nerve.

Question 30

What comprises the efferent limb of the gag reflex?

Answer 30

The vagus nerve.