Anatomy - Pharynx & Larnyx

Question 1

What do Pharyngeal tumors irritate?

Answer 1

May irritate the glossopharyngeal & vagas nerves.

• Pain that occurs while swallowing is referred to the ear b/c these nerves contribute SENSORY innvervation to the external ear.

Question 2

What is the importance of Piriform Recesses?

Answer 2

Swallowed foreign bodies can get lodged here!

• Located: one on each side of the larnyx

Question 3

What is the innervation for the Pharynx muscles?

Answer 3

VAGAS nerve (CN X) innervates all muscles, except….

STYLOPHARYNGEUS muscles innervated by GLOSSPHARYNGEAL n. (CN IX); also supplies SENSORY info to the pharyngeal mucosaaaaa

Question 4

What can happen at the Killian Triangle in the Pharynx?

Answer 4

Killian Triangle can bulge forming a PHARNGEOESOPHAGEAL DIVERTICULUM (Zenker)

• this occurs at the jxn of the INFERIOR CONSTRICTOR ms + CRICOPHARYNGEOUS ms
  
  • weak spot of the muscle where food can get trapped
  • leads to difficulty swallowing