Anatomy W10 - The Pharynx/Larynx Flashcards
What muscle of the pharynx does the glossopharyngeal nerve give motor innervation to?
The stylopharyngeus muscle
Name the branches of the vagus nerve that innervate the pharynx and the larynx.
The pharyngeal branch
The superior laryngeal nerve which divides into the;
Internal laryngeal nerve
External laryngeal nerve
The recurrent laryngeal nerve
What does the internal laryngeal nerve (branch of the superior laryngeal nerve) innervate?
Sensory innervation to the larynx above the vocal chords/folds
What does the External laryngeal nerve (branch of the superior laryngeal nerve) innervate?
Motor innervation to the cricothyroid muscle
(the only muscle visible on the outer side of the larynx)
What are the 3 parts of the pharynx?
The nasopharynx
The oropharynx
The laryngopharynx
What mucosa lines the Nasopharynx?
Pseudostratified columnar ciliated epithelium with goblet cells
What mucosa lines the Oropharynx?
stratified squamous non-keratinised
What mucosa lines the Laryngopharynx?
stratified squamous non-keratinised
What are the boundaries of the nasopharynx?
The posterior border of the nasal septum
The back edge of the soft palate
What features are present within the nasopharynx?
The opening to the auditory tube
The tubal elevation/the tubal tonsils surrounding the opening to the auditory tube.
The pharyngeal recess/fossa of Rosenmuller
What is the function of the (opening of the) auditory tube in the nasopharynx?
Allows air to pass into the middle ear - connects the nasopharynx and the middle ear
What is the Fossa of Rosenmuller/pharyngeal recess?
A deep pocket of mucosa in the nasopharynx
What is the difficulties associated with a malignancy within the pharyngeal recess?
Since this is an occult tumour (hidden) It is difficult to diagnose, locate and get vision to a malignancy since it is within a deep pocket
Why must surgeons be cautious when taking a biopsy of the pharyngeal recess?
Because the internal carotid artery runs lateral to the back wall of the pharynx
What are the boundaries of the oropharynx?
The palatoglossal folds
The tip of the epiglottis