Larynx and Pharynx Flashcards
What does the pharynx share borders with?
The nasal cavity (choanae), oral cavity (facial isthmus), larynx (laryngeal inlet), and esophagus (entrance to esophagus)
What are the three regions of the pharynx?
Nasopharynx, Oropharynx, and Laryngopharynx
How many layers are there to the muscular wall of the pharynx? How do they differ?
Two layers. The outer layer consists mostly of circular-oriented constrictors, the inner layer is mostly longitudinally oriented muscles that shorten and widen the pharynx.
What are the three constrictor muscles of the pharynx? How are they oriented and where do they meet?
The superior pharyngeal constrictor m. : the middle pharyngeal constrictor m. : and the inferior pharyngeal constrictor m. - These muscles surround the pharynx, and meet along a posterior milling pharyngeal raphe.
What are the four parts of the superior pharyngeal constrictor m., and where are their anterior, and posterior attachments?
All four coalesce posteriorly to the superior portion of the pharyngeal raphe. They are: the pterygopharyngeal part (pterygoid hamulus), the buccopharyngeal part (pterygomandibular raphe), the mylopharyngeal part (posterior portion of mylohyoid line of the mandible), glossopharyngeal part (posterolateral tongue)
Where does the middle pharyngeal constrictor m. originate and insert?
originates on hyoid bone (greater and lesser horn) and stylohyoid ligament. Inserts on the pharyngeal raphe.
What are the parts, and attachments of the inferior pharyngeal constrictor m.?
the thyropharyngeal part (thyroid cartilage of larynx), and the cricopharyngeal part (cricoid cartilage of larynx)
What are the three longitudinal m. of the pharynx?
Stylopharyngeus m., palatopharyngeus m., salpingopharyngeus m.
Give the stylopharyngess m.’s attachments, efferent innervation, and actions.
Proximal : styloid process of temporal bone - Distal : thyroid cartilage of larynx - motor : glossopharyngeal n. (CN IX) - actions : elevates and widens larynx and pharynx during swallowing (deglutition)
Give the palatopharyngeus m.’s attachments, efferent innervation, and actions.
Proximal : palatine aponeurosis - Distal : superior margin of thyroid cartilage - motor : pharyngeal plexus (Vagus n. CN X) - actions : elevates and widens the pharynx and larynx during deglutition.
Give the salpingopharyngeus m.’s attachments, efferent innervation, and actions.
Proximal : distal pharyngotympanic tube - Distal : superior margin of thyroid cartilage - motor : pharyngeal plexus (Vagus n. CN X) - actions : Elevates and widens both the larynx and pharynx during deglutition (swallowing); can aid in opening the distal pharyngotympanic tube for equalizing pressure in the middle ear
What innervates the pharyngeal constrictor m.’s? Where do efferent/afferent innervations come from?
the pharyngeal plexus - this receives efferent from Vagus and afferent from glossopharyngeal.
Where does the cricopharyngeal part receive innervations from?
it gets dual innervations from the pharyngeal plexus and vagus n. via the recurrent laryngeal and superior laryngeal nn.
Where does the pharyngeal plexus receive autonomic fibers from?
Vagus (parasympathetic) and superior cervical ganglion (sympathetic)
What is the primary arterial supply of the pharyngeal constrictor mm.?
the ascending pharyngeal a. (branch of external carotid)
What arterial supply may the inferior pharyngeal constrictor m. have separate from the ascending pharyngeal a.?
the inferior thyroid a. (thyrocervical trunk)
Both _____________ and _____________ pharyngeal constrictor mm. may have arterial supply from _________________.
superior and middle : tonsillar br. and facial a.
What are the possible arteries that may supply the superior pharyngeal constrictor m.?
the ascending pharyngeal a., the tonsillar br. of facial a., and the ascending palatine a. br. of facial a.
What vein drains the pharyngeal constrictor mm.? Where does it drain to?
the pharyngeal venous plexus : the IJV
What two bodies of fascia support the pharynx?
the pharyngobasilar fascia (deep, investing layer of external pharyngeal mm.), and the buccopharyngeal fascia (superficial investing layer of external pharyngeal mm.).
What is the pharyngobasilar fascia responsible for?
It suspend the superior pharyngeal constrictor m. from the basilar part of the occipital bone and the adjacent temporal bone.
Where is the pharyngobasilar fascia found?
it is found closely associated with the pharyngeal raphe at the pharyngeal tubercle
What is the pterygomandibular raphe?
A condensed band of the buccopharyngeal fascia that extends from the pterygoid hamulus to the posterior end of the mylohyoid line of the mandible
What does the pterygomandibular raphe connect?
the buccinator m. with the superior pharyngeal constrictor m.
Where is the retropharyngeal space?
Posterior to the muscular wall of the pharynx and its investing buccopharyngeal fascia, anterior to the prevertebral fascia, and spanning the distance between the base of the skull and the mediastinum
What two potential spaces is the retropharyngeal space composed of?
Anteriorly : the “true” retropharyngeal space - Posteriorly : the “danger space”
What makes the retropharyngeal space important clinically?
It represents a potential pathway for metastasis of disease between the head & neck and the thorax.
What are the major targets and functions of the glossopharyngeal n. (CN IX)?
Efferent to stylopharyngeus m.
Afferent from carotid sinus and carotid body
Afferent from pharynx (not nasopharynx which is maxillary n.)
What are the major targets and functions of the vagus n. (CN X)?
Efferent to pharyngeal plexus: pharyngeal mm. excluding stylopharyngeus m.
What nerves make up the pharyngeal plexus? What are their innervations?
The Vegas n. (efferent), Glossopharyngeal n. (efferent to sylopharyngeus/afferent to plexus), and branches from the superior cervical sympathetic ganglion. (Maxillary n. gives afferent to nasopharynx, not pharyngeal plexus)
What is the carotid sheath?
a condensation of deep cervical fascia that surrounds the major vasculature of the neck.
What is found in the carotid sheath?
IJV, common carotid/internal carotid, Vagus n (CN X), deep cervical lymph nodes
The carotid sheath is found:
Deep to the SCM m.,
Lateral to the larynx, trachea, pharynx, esophagus, & infrahyoid mm.,
Posterior to the ansa cervicalis (sometimes ansa is embedded within the sheath), and
Anterolateral to the cervical sympathetic trunk.
What two sources supply the larynx with blood?
Superior laryngeal a. (External carotid a. > Superior thyroid a. > superior laryngeal a.) and the Inferior laryngeal a. (1st part of SCA > thyrocervical trunk > inferior thyroid > inferior laryngeal a.)
What accompanies the superior laryngeal a. on its way to the larynx? What does it go through?
the internal branch of the superior laryngeal n.. It goes through the thyrohyoid membrane.
What three cartilages make up the larynx?
Thyroid, cricoid, epiglottic
Describe the thyroid cartilage.
the thyroid cartilage is formed from two laminae that join anteriorly along the midline. (posteriorly incomplete)
What suspends the thyroid cartilage from the hyoid bone?
thyrohyoid membrane
What forms the cricothyroid joint?
The inferior horns of the thyroid cartilage, and the cricoid cartilage.
What movement does the cricothyroid joint allow for?
It allows the thyroid cartilage to tip forward.