Anatomy - Pharynx, Larynx and Neck Spaces I and II Flashcards
How long is the pharynx?
It is a 5 inch (13cm muscular tube) It extends from the base of the skull to the lower border of the cricoid cartilage (C6 level)
What are the 3 parts of the pharynx?
The Nasopharynx
The Oropharynx
The Laryngopharynx
What does the posterior border of the pharynx come in contact with?
The prevertebral fascia
Posterior to the nasal and oral cavities
Posterior to the larynx
What does the larynx connect?
The pharynx and the trachea
What is the role of the larynx?
It prevents foreign bodies from entering the airways
It is important for sound production
What is the larynx made up of?
3 paired and 3 unpaired cartilages:
Paired:
Arytenoid
Corniculate
Cuneiform
Unpaired:
Thyroid
Cricoid
Epiglottis
Where is the larynx located?
In midline opposite the Ce - C6 vertebrae
What structures are connected by the stylohyoid ligament?
The styloid process and the lesser horn of the hyoid bone.
How are the occipital bone and sphenoid connected?
They are connected by a sphenooccipital synchondrosis. this ossifies early in life so in adults it is rare to see
Which structures in the neck are important for swallowing?
Epiglottis and the hyoid bone
What is the valecula?
Valecula is the space between the epiglottis and the lower tongue
What is the clinical significance of the valecula?
It creates a space for food to rot causing halitosis in older individuals.
Which unpaired cartilage is attached directly to the paired cartilages?
The cricoid cartilage is attached to the corniculate and arytenoid cartilage.
What structure covers the cricoid ligament?
Cricothyroid muscle surrounds the cricoid cartilage and is superficial to it
What structure connects the hyoid bone to the thyroid cartilage?
The thyrohyoid membrane
What structure hangs below the cricoid cartilage?
Cricoid cartilage is continuous with the trachea
What structure is located posterior to the larynx?
The laryngopharynx covers the larynx from behind
What forms the superior laryngeal aperture?
Superiorly and anteriorly by the epiglottic cartilage
The ary-epiglottic fold on both sides
The arytenoid cartilages from behind
What is the hole in the wall of the larynx formed by upper and lower folds near the cricoid cartilage called? What are the folds above and below it called?
The vestibule
The folds above and below are the vestibular fold above and the vocal fold below. (vocal ligament located here)
Where are the arytenoid cartilages located?
They are connected above the cricoid cartilage and articulate with the cricoid cartilage.
What is the colliculus?
The posterior side of the arytenoid cartilage which has a smooth concave surface
What does the vocal ligament attach to?
The vocal process at the bottom of the arytenoid cartilage.
What part of the arytenoid do muscles of the larynx attach to?
The muscular process (posteriorly)
Lateral border
And anterior convex surface
What does the corniculate cartilage look like?
It is a broad inward projection of the top of the arytenoid cartilage
How do the arytenoid cartilages move?
They can move medially/laterally
They can also rotate on their own axis
What is the conus elasticus?
The vocal ligament is not alone in space. it is connected to the cricoid cartilage upper borders via a thin membrane of cartilage called the conus elasticus.
The anterior part of the conus elasticus is attached to the thyroid cartilage.
What is the opening of the vocal ligaments called?
The rima glottis or vocal opening
What external structure can be damaged leading to problems with voice?
Voice can be affected by laryngeal nerve
What is the pharyngotympanic tube?
The eustachian tube aka the auditory tube
What 4 regions are most important for describing the location of pathology?
Sternocleidomastoid region
Posterior cervical region
Lateral cervical region
Anterior cervical region
What structures form the submandibular triangle?
The submandibular triangle (or submaxillary or digastric triangle) corresponds to the region of the neck immediately beneath the body of the mandible.
Above, by the lower border of the body of the mandible, and a line drawn from its angle to the mastoid process.
Below, by the posterior belly of the Digastricus; in front, by the anterior belly of the Digastricus.
It is covered by the integument, superficial fascia, Platysma, and deep fascia, ramifying in which are branches of the facial nerve and ascending filaments of the cutaneous cervical nerve.
What structures are found in the submandibular triangle?
The submandibular glands
Where is the submental triangle located?
More anterior to the submandibular triangle.
Where is the carotid triangle located?
Posterior to the muscular triangle which contains the carotids.
Where is the muscular triangle located?
It is in the area between the hyoid and the clavicle
Which space is the parotid gland located in?
In the parotid space.
Parotid space is a small area.
What is located
Masticator space has masseter and the 2 pterygoid muscles.
Remember hyoid bone, thyroid cartilage, cricoid cartilage are all connected to each other
