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
What is the isthmus of the fauces?
The lumen between the arch formed by the 2 palatoglossal folds in the oropharynx
What is the function of the palatopharygeal muscle?
It brings the soft palate and the back wall of the oropharynx together during swallowing.
Where is the tonsillar fossa containing the palatine tonsils located?
Between the palatoglossal fold and the palatopharyngeal fold in the oropharynx.
What is the vallecula?
The deep recess between the tongue and the epiglottis in the oropharynx
What tonsils are present within the oropharynx?
The palatine tonsils - between the palatoglossal and palatopharyngeal folds in the oropharynx
The lingual tonsils - on the posterior tongue in the oropharynx
What are the boundaries of the laryngopharynx?
The tip of the epiglottis
The inferior border of the cricoid cartilage
What tonsils are present in the nasopharynx?
The tubal tonsils - on the tubal elevation of the opening to the auditory tube in the nasopharynx
The pharyngeal tonsils - on the roof of the nasopharynx
What feature(s) are present within the laryngopharynx?
The pyriform fossa
What is the pyriform fossa? What is it’s clinical relevance?
A pear shaped recess in the lateral aspect of the laryngopharynx.
The epiglottis pushes the food down the sides of the laryngopharynx and the food passes over this fossa - food objects can get stuck in this fossa and can cause choking.
