Oral Cavity And Pharynx Flashcards
What anatomical landmark forms the inferior border of the oral cavity?
Palatoglossal arch
Name the four extrinsic muscles of the tongue and their innervations.
Genioglossus,
Hyoglossus,
Styloglossus - all Hypoglossal nerve.
Palatoglossus- vagus nerve.
How many intrinsic muscles of the tongue are there?
What nerve innervates them?
4 paired muscles.
Innervated by Hypoglossal nerve.
What nerves supply general sensation and taste to the tongue?
Anterior 2/3 - taste via facial nerve and sensation via trigeminal.
Posterior 1/3 - both via Glossopharyngeal nerve.
What ducts attach to the submandibular salivary glands?
Where do they empty?
Wharton’s duct,
Empty below the tongue.
Which ducts attach to the parotid glands?
Where do they empty?
Stensen ducts,
Empty on medial aspect of the cheek near the molars.
Which salivary ducts are likely to become occluded by stones (sialolithiasis)?
Submandibular salivary glands (due to high calcium concentrations),
Parotid glands due to long ducts.
What symptoms are seen in Sialolithiasis?
How are they imaged?
Pain in glands brought in by food, swelling and signs of infection.
Imaged via X ray or sialogram.
How does tonsillitis typically present?
What are the common causes?
Fever, Sore throat, Difficulty swallowing, Often caused via viruses, Bacterial causes predominantly streptococcus pyogenes.
How do peritonsillar abscesses present?
Severe throat pain, Fever, Drooling, Difficulty opening mouth. Deviation of the uvula (important as this is not seen in tonsillitis).
What are the boundaries of the nasopharynx?
Nasal cavity to C1, C2 spinal vertebrae.
Base of skull to upper border of the soft palate.
What may result due to a swollen pharyngeal tonsil (adenoid)?
Blockage of the Eustachian tube resulting in ear infections,
Snoring + sleep apnoea,
Chronic sinusitis,
Sore throat.
What are the boundaries of the oropharynx?
Soft palate to epiglottis,
Oral cavity to C2, C3 spinal vertebrae.
Which arches do the palatine tonsils sit between?
Palatoglossal arch (more lateral) and palatopharyngeal arch (more medial)
What are the borders of the laryngopharynx?
End of Oropharynx to oesophagus,
Epiglottis to cricoid cartilage,
C4,5,6 vertebrae.
What are the piriform fossae?
Depressions within the laryngopharynx that guide liquids and food to help prevent aspiration.
What are the names of the three longitudinal muscles that elevate the pharynx and larynx during swallowing?
Stylopharyngeus (CNX),
Palatopharyngeus (CNX),
Salpingopharyngeus (CNIX).
What is the role of the three pharyngeal constrictors?
What nerve innervates them?
Peristaltic activity forcing bolus into the oesophagus. Vagus nerve (CNX).
What is a pharyngeal pouch?
A false posteriomedial diverticulum caused by high pressure in the laryngopharynx overcoming constrictor muscles and forming an outpouching.
Presents with regurgitation of food,
Difficulty swallowing,
Choking on fluids.
What nerves supply general sensation to the Nasopharynx, oropharynx and laryngopharynx respectively?
Nasopharynx - Maxillary nerve (Vb),
Oropharynx- Glossopharyngeal nerve CN IX,
Laryngopharynx- Vagus nerve CNX.
What are the main points of the Oral phase of swallowing?
Voluntary control,
Bolus is pushed against the palate and pushed into oropharynx.
What are the main points of the pharyngeal phase of swallowing?
Soft palate elevation, Closure of epiglottis, Longitudinal muscles contract, Larynx elevates. UOS relaxes.
What occurs in the oesophageal phase of swallowing?
Rapid peristalsis guides bolus into the stomach. LOS opens.
What are the signs of dysphagia?
Coughing and choking,
Sialorrhoea (drooling),
Nasal regurgitation.
