Head & Neck 10 Flashcards
What forms most of the roof of the nasopharynx?
The base of the skull
What is the upper anterior boundary of the nasopharynx?
The nasal cavity
What forms the lower anterior of the nasopharynx?
The soft palate
What major structures are contained within the nasopharynx?
Hint: 2
The pharyngeal tonsil (adenoids)
The opening of teh Eustachian tubes
What problems can be caused by adenoids?
Hint: 3
Block nasal air flow (mouth breathing, snoring)
Block ET opening
Harbour chronic infection (e.g. Otitis media or sinusitis)
Why is Eustachian tube dysfunction more of a risk in children?
It is shorter and more horizontal than in adults making it easier for infection to progress
What is otitis media?
Inflammation of the middle ear, can be acute or chronic +/- effusion
How is otitis media thought to come about?
Middle ear cells constantly reabsorb O2/N2 -> blocked ET = -ve pressure -> sterile transudate drawn from mucosa -> bacterial proliferation causes OM
List some complications of Otitis media
Hearing loss (from effusion, usually temporary)
Inflammation of mastoid (-> necrosis of M process)
Cholesteatoma (cyst-like lesion, can erode structures)
Menigitis
Describe the boundaries of the oropharynx
Soft palate down to epiglottis
Anteriorly border by oral cavity
Posteriorly bordered by C2,3
What important structure is contained within the oropharynx?
Palatine tonsils
What are the full names for the anterior and posterior arches of the tonsils?
Anterior - palatoglossal
Posterior - platopharyngeal
Describe the boundaries of the laryngopharynx
Oropharynx to oesophagus
Eppiglottis to cricoid cartilage
Anteriorly border by larynx
Posteriorly C4,5,6
Which muscles elevate the larynx and pharynx during swallowing?
Hint: 3
Stylopharyngeus
Palatopharyngeus
Salpingopharyngeus
(all the “geus”es)
Attachments and innervation of Stylopharyngeus please
Styloid process -> posterior border of thyroid cartilage
Glossopharyngeal CN IX
