Larynx and Pharynx Flashcards
The pharynx is located posterior to the nasal cavity, mouth, and larynx. It extends from the ______ ______ to the level of cervical vertebra ____
Pharyngeal tubercle; 6
3 phases of deglutition (swallowing)
Oral
Oropharyngeal
Pharyngo-esophageal
Oral phase of deglutition
Mastication
Oropharyngeal phase of deglutition
Elevation of the floor of the mouth and tongue in order to push the bolus into the oropharynx
Pharyngoesophageal phase of deglutition
Oropharynx elevates and constricts around the bolus, propelling it down the esophagus
What reflex initially begins as a series of expiratory cough triggered by a noxious stimulus to the supraglottic laryngeal mucosa?
Airway protective cough reflex
T/F: laryngeal displacement throughout human development corresponds to high incidence of SIDS around 2-4 months of age
False; there is not a significant increase in the rate of laryngeal displacement around the 2-4 month age, laryngeal descent did not coincide with the epidemiological reports of the peak age of SIDS
Studies suggested that the development of the laryngeal cough reflex and its role in neurological airway protection may be more involved
3 divisions of the pharynx
Nasopharynx
Oropharynx
Laryngopharynx
The nasopharynx communicates with the nasal cavity via the _______, the middle ear cavity via the auditory tube, and the oropharynx via the _____ _______
Choanae; pharyngeal isthmus
3 primary structures located on the lateral wall of the nasopharynx
Torus tubarius
Pharyngeal opening of eustachian tube
Pharyngeal tonsil
The oropharynx communicates with the nasopharynx via the pharyngeal isthmus, the oral cavity via the ____ ____, and the laryngopharynx at the level of the ____ bone
Faucial isthmus; hyoid
What are the 2 primary structures on the lateral wall of the oropharynx?
Palatoglossal fold
Palatine tonsil
Almost 1/3 of congenital neck masses are remnants of branchial clefts or _____ ______
Although the prevalence varies from childhood to adults, these cysts, sinuses, or fistulae are usually related to second cleft/pouch malformation and may be distributed along the anterior border of the ______ muscle
Pharyngeal pouches
SCM
The laryngopharynx is located posterior to the larynx. It communicates with the oropharynx at the level of the hyoid; larynx via the laryngeal ______, and esophagus at the level of ____
Aditus; C6
The _____ _____ are situated posterior and lateral to the arytenoid cartilages in the laryngopharynx. The epithelium in this area is innervated by the _____ _____ n. and supplied by the superior laryngeal artery
Piriform recesses; internal laryngeal n.
Major pharyngeal mm.
Stylopharyngeus m.
Superior constrictor
Middle constrictor
Inferior constrictor
The stylopharyngeus m. arises from the styloid process and inserts on the pharyngeal wall between the superior and middle constrictors. What is the action and innervation of this m.?
Action: elevates pharynx during deglutition
Glossopharyngeal n. (NOTE this is the ONLY muscle innervated by the glossopharyngeal n.)
The horizontal fibers of the inferior constrictor m. of the pharynx comprise what muscle?
Cricopharyngeus m. — used during pharyngeal speech
Zenker’s diverticulae are frequently located at the junction of what 2 groups of musculature?
Cricopharyngeus and esophageal musculature
This junction is devoid of a muscular layer
Most esophageal diverticula result from what?
Abnormal luminal pressure due to a stricture, esophageal spasm, or abnormal lower esophageal sphincter functions
_______ fascia covers the posterior surface of the buccinator m. and the pharynx; and it forms the anterior fascial wall of the ________ space. It attaches to the pharyngeal tubercle, pterygomandibular raphe, hyoid, and the thyroid and cricoid cartilages. The _______ plexus is also embedded in the portion of the fascia covering the middle constrictor
Buccopharyngeal; retropharyngeal; pharyngeal
What named space is between the buccopharyngeal fascia and prevertebral fascia, continuous from the base of the skull to the mediastinum?
Retropharyngeal space
What is the clinical importance of the retropharyngeal space in terms of infection and surgical fusion?
Infections can spread from either the skull or mediastinum via the retropharyngeal space
In surgical fusion of the cervical vertebrae, the anterior bodies of the cervical vertebrae are approached via the retropharyngeal space
The pharynx is supplied from branches of what 2 arteries?
Ascending pharyngeal a.
Inferior thyroid a.
The pharynx is innervated by the ____ ____, which is embedded in the buccopharyngeal fascia
Pharyngeal plexus
The pharyngeal plexus receives sensory (GVA) info from the pharyngeal branch of the _____ n. and motor (SVE) fibers from the pharyngeal branch of the _______ n.
Glossopharyngeal; vagus
The GVA fibers of the pharyngeal plexus (those from the glossopharyngeal n.) contribute the afferent info for the _____ reflex
Gag
The SVE motor fibers to the pharynx and larynx originate in the _____ ______ (cranial portion of the accessory nucleus). These fibers exit the brainstem with the ____ ____ n. and at the level of the jugular foramen, join the _______ n.
Nucleus ambiguus; spinal accessory; vagus
The pharyngeal branches of the vagus n. supply motor fibers to the _____ _____, which innervates all the pharyngeal muscles except the stylopharyngeus
Pharyngeal plexus
Pharyngeal branches of the ______ n. convey the sensory (afferent) component of the gag reflex
Pharyngeal branches of the _____ n. mediate the motor (efferent) component of the gag reflex
Glossopharyngeal
Vagus
[in by IX, out by X]
The glossopharyngeal n. Passes through the interval formed by the ______ and the middle and superior constrictor mm., enters the base of the tongue, and supplies GVA and SVA fibers to the posterior _____ of the tongue, and sends a pharyngeal branch to the pharyngeal mucosa (GVA)
Styloglossus
1/3
3 branches of CN IX
Pharyngeal n. to pharyngeal plexus
Sensory (GVA) to mucosa of post 1/3 tongue and pharynx and sensory SVA to taste buds of post 1/3 tongue
Motor (SVE) to stylopharyngeus muscle
The _______ _____ slightly dilate if the patient says “a-a-a” in a low voice. Secretions may gather here, but they should disappear when swallowing. If they do not, the patient has “_____” sign, which suggests obstruction or paralysis of upper esophagus
Piriform recesses; pooling
What cartilage forms the laryngeal prominence?
Thyroid cartilage
The superior horn of the thyroid laminae (laryngeal prominence) is continuous with the _____ bone via the ______ ligament
Hyoid; thyrohyoid
The inferior horn of the thyroid laminae articulates with the ____ cartilage via the ______ joint
Cricoid; cricothryoid
T/F: after age 30, portions of the thyroid cartilage may show areas of ossification on Xray
True
General location (vertebral level) of cricoid cartilage
C6
Cricoid cartilage has “signet ring” configuration and has what 2 principle components?
Cricoid lamina
Cricoid arch
The cricoid lamina is located on the posterior aspect of the larynx, and is approximately 2-3 cm long in its vertical dimension. It articulates with the _____ cartilages. The _____ arch forms the main supporting element of the laryngeal airway
Arytenoid; cricoid
The 2 arytenoid cartilages are perched on the superior edge of the cricoid cartilage. The apex of the arytenoid cartilage articulates with the _____ cartilage
The vocal process is attached to the vocal ligament of the vocal fold. The muscular process is attached to the posterior and lateral ________
Corniculate
Cricoarytenoids