L36: Pharynx and Oesophagus

Question 1

What are the three main components of the cervical viscera?

Answer 1

• Respiratory;
• Endocrine (hormones to blood);
• Alimentary.

Question 2

What is the general structure of the pharynx?

Answer 2

A muscular tube from the base of the skull to the oesophagus (C6)

Question 3

What are the two main functions of the pharynx?

Answer 3

• Conduct air;

- Direct food to the oesophagus.

Question 4

What are the subdivisions of the pharynx?

Answer 4

• Nasopharynx;
• Oropharynx;
• Laryngopharynx.

Question 5

What is the physiological function of the nasopharynx?

Answer 5

Respiratory

Question 6

What significant structures are found in the nasopharynx?

Answer 6

• Nasolacrimal duct (connect to tear ducts);
• Opening of auditory tube;
• Tubal tonsils;
• Pharyngeal tonsils (adenoids).

Question 7

What is the purpose of the tonsils?

Answer 7

A collection of inflammatory tissue to trap bacteria from the air and prevent infection

Question 8

What is the physiological function of the oropharynx?

Answer 8

Digestive (palate)

Question 9

What are the anatomical boundaries of the oropharynx?

Answer 9

• Superior: soft palate;

- Inferior: base of tongue (epiglottis).

Question 10

What are the two muscle groups (arches) at the back of the mouth?

Answer 10

• Palatopharyngeal arches (furthest back);

- Palatoglossal arches (in front).

Question 11

What significant structures are found between the palatopharyngeal and palatoglossal arches?

Answer 11

• Palatine tosnsils;

- Uvula.

Question 12

What is the purpose of the uvula?

Answer 12

To block the oral to nasal cavity

wobbles during laughter and allows food to pass

Question 13

Why are paediatrics prone to throat and ear infections?

Answer 13

The auditory tube (opening at the back of the mouth) is shorter meaning infections can travel between the two more quickly

Question 14

What is Waldeyer’s Ring?

Answer 14

Four sets of tonsils which serve as the first line of defense

Question 15

Name the groups of tonsils that make up Waldeyer’s Ring.

Answer 15

• Tubual tonsils;
• Pharyngeal tonsils;
• Palatine tonsils;
• Lingual tonsils.

Question 16

When is Waldeyer’s Ring most active?

Answer 16

At the start of school and university due to the exposure to new environments and people

Question 17

What is the physiological function of the laryngopharynx?

Answer 17

Series of cricoid cartilage (constrictors), voice box region

Question 18

What are the anatomical boundaries of the laryngopharynx?

Answer 18

• Superior: Epiglottis;

- Inferior: Cricoid cartilage (below thyroid cartilage).

Question 19

What structure does the laryngopharynx continue with?

Answer 19

The oesophagus (diverges to larynx, airway, and oesophagus)

Question 20

What structure gives rise to the Adam’s Apple?

Answer 20

Thyroid cartilage (increases in length, outwards, during adolescence).

Question 21

What is significant about the hyoid bone?

Answer 21

It is the only ‘floating’ bone in the body i.e. it is not connected to another bone

Question 22

What feature in the laryngopharynx can make some people more prone to choking?

Answer 22

The piriform fossa, can swell

Question 23

How many pairs of cranial nerves are there?

Answer 23

12

Question 24

What is the nerve supply to the pharynx?

Answer 24

• Motor: CNX, vagus;

- Sensory: CNIX, glossopharyngeal.

Question 25

What is the physiological function of the oesophagus?

Answer 25

Digestive

Question 26

What is the general structure of the oesophagus?

Answer 26

Muscular tube: pharynx-stomach

Question 27

Where does the oesophagus lie?

Answer 27

Posterior to the trachea and heart

Question 28

What type of epithelium does the oesophagus have?

Answer 28

Stratified squamous epithelium

Question 29

What type of glands are present in the oesophagus?

Answer 29

Submucosal glands (mucous)

Question 30

What are the different muscle types in the oesophagus?

Answer 30

• Upper 1/3: Skeletal (voluntary);
• Middle 1/3: Mixed;
• Lower 1/3: Smooth (involuntary).

Question 31

What are the two major sphincters of the oesophagus?

Answer 31

• Upper oesophageal sphincter;

- Lower oesophageal sphincter.

Question 32

What is G.O.R.D. and what is the risk of persistent G.O.R.D.?

Answer 32

Gastro-oesophageal-reflux-disease, acid reflux from the stomach. This can lead to metaplasia of the epithelium lining the oesophagus which can further lead to dysplasia (pre-cancer).

Question 33

What epithelium change occurs with Barrett’s oesophagus?

Answer 33

Stratified squamous to columnar epithelium (columnar metaplasia)

Question 34

What are the two roles of deglutition?

Answer 34

• Food to stomach;

- Prevention from food entering the airway.

Question 35

What are the three phases of deglutition?

Answer 35

• Oral phase;
• Pharyngeal phase;
• Oesophageal phase.

Question 36

What happens in the oral phase of swallowing?

Answer 36

Posterior movement of food

Question 37

What happens in the pharyngeal phase of swallowing?

Answer 37

• Oro- to laryngopahrynx;
• Soft palate raises;
• Epiglottis depresses;
• Relaxation of U.O.S.

Question 38

What happens in the oesophageal phase of swallowing?

Answer 38

Peristalsis (above contracts, below relaxes)

Question 39

What is dysphagia?

Answer 39

Difficulty in swallowing

Question 40

What is T.O.F. and what is a symptom of it?

Answer 40

Trachea-oesophageal-fistula, abnormal communication between two epithelium (of trachea and oesophagus), joined in some way. Repetitive vomiting as a baby can indicate T.O.F.