Ear, Airways and Larynx Flashcards
what is the outer ear made of?
auricle
external acoustic meatus (EAM)
what is the function of the EAM?
collects vibrations and mediates their passage to the middle ear
what are the depressions, eminences and folds of the auricle?
Helix and lobule: Folded outer margin of the auricle
Antihelix: Parallel inner margin
Tragus and antitragus: Eminences anterior and inferior to the EAM respectively
Concha: The auricle’s hollow centre
within which bone does the middle and inner ear lie in?
petrous part of the temporal bone
from which structure does the middle ear conduct sound from to the oval window?
tympanic membrane
what are the 3 ossicles?
Malleus
Incus
Stapes
malleus muscle
Tensor tympani muscle (V3): Pulls the handle of the malleus medially. This tenses the tympanic membrane, reducing the force of vibrations in response to loud noises
stapes muscle
Stapedius (VII): Pulls the stapes posteriorly to prevent excessive oscillation
what is the function of the pharyngotympanic (Eustachian) tube connection the internal ear to the nasopharynx?
Equalises barometric pressure between the middle ear and the external environment
functions of the facial nerve?
Motor:
- Muscles of facial expression and posterior suprahyoid muscles
- Stapedius
- Parasympathetic to lacrimal gland, salivary glands, mucous membranes of nasal cavity
Sensory:
- Taste anterior 2/3 tongue
- General sensation to external auditory meatus and auricle
nerves of the facial nerve
Extracranial component of facial nerve Posterior auricular nerve* Greater petrosal nerve* Chorda-tympani Nerve to stapedius
journey of CNVIII in ear
Enters the middle ear through the internal acoustic meatus (along with VII) and then splits into the vestibular and cochlear nerves (both SSA).
branches of vestibular nerve
1) Upper branch, SSA fibres to the semi-circular canals and utricle
2) Lower branch, SSA fibres to the saccule
where are the vestibulocochlear nuclei located?
pons/medulla
VIII nuclei and branches
1) cochlear nucleus- cochlea
2) vestibular nuclei- semicircular canals and utricle (upper) + saccule (lower)
features of EAM and tympanic membrane
pars flaccida lateral process of malleus posterior malleolar fold handle of malleus umbo cone of light
what is the URT lined with?
resp epithelium
what are the two functions of respiratory epithelium?
1) removed trapped particles
2) warms and humidifies air
where does the larynx come from in the upper resp tract?
in the lower part of the tract
what are the two functions of the larynx?
1) sphincter of the lower resp tract
2) specialised for phonation in humans
how is the nose the first line of defence? [3]
- Nasal mucosa and conchae, warm and humidify inhaled air
- Hairs trap large particles
- Cilia move rubbish laden mucus to the back to be swallowed
what are the four mechanisms that prevent aspiration?
1) gag reflex
2) swallowing
3) sneezing
4) coughing
what are the sensory and motor components of the gag reflex?
sensory: soft palate and back of tongue predominantly IX
motor: pharyngeal constrictors (X)
the three phases of swallowing
1) oral (voluntary)
2) pharyngeal (reflex)
3) oesophageal
oral phase nerves
V, VII, IX, X, XII
pharyngeal phase nerves
IX, X, XII
oesophageal phase nerves
IX, X
phase 1 of swallowing process
1) Food is chewed by the muscles of mastication (V3). Bolus is held on tongue.
2) Elevation of soft palate, tensor and levator palatini (Mandibular V3 and Vagus X, respectively).
3) Bolus into oropharynx, done by the tongue (XII). Airway is still OPEN.
phase 2 of swallowing process
1) Triggered when bolus hits pharyngeal arch, tongue (XII) retracts pushing bolus into pharynx
2) Airway CLOSED – action of pharyngeal muscles (X)
3) Bolus propelled through pharynx (pharyngeal constrictors, X)
phase 3 of swallowing process
Oesophagus opened, airway closed, breath held. Bolus propelled through oesophagus
afferents and efferents of coughing
afferent: X
efferent: V3 and X
afferents and efferents of sneezing
afferent: V2 and I
efferent: X
what are the conchae?
superior, middle and inferior from 3 recesses
what are the sinuses?
frontal
sphenoidal
maxillary
ethmoidal cells
where does the sphenoidal recess drain?
sphenoethmoidal recess
where do the posterior ethmoidal cells drain?
lateral wall of the superior meatus
where do the middle ethmoidal cells drain?
what also drains here?
middle meatus
frontal sinus, anterior ethmoidal cells, maxillary sinuses
where does the lacrimal duct drain?
inferior meatus
which sinuses does the ophthalmic (V1) nerve supply?
Frontal, sphenoid + ethmoid sinuses
which sinuses does the maxillary (V2) supply?
maxillary sinus
frontal sinus innervation
Supraorbital branch of Frontal branch of V1
sphenoid sinus innervation
Post Ethmoidal branch of Nasociliary of V1
ethmoid sinus innervation
Ant and Post Ethmoidal branches of Nasociliary of V1