Oral Cavity and Pharynx Flashcards
________ ______ can be found in 1% of the population, often in people who grind their teeth. They make it hard to fit dentures.
Mandibular tori
Abscesses on the root of a tooth in the anterior mandible can be accessed in the _______ space, whereas root abscesses in posterior molars may invade the ________ space.
sublingual (anterior teeth) - above the mylohyoid line
submaxillary (posterior teeth) - below the mylohyoid line
Alveolar nerves and blood vessels access the pulp of the teeth through the ______ ______.
apical foramen
What is the majority of the teeth made of?
Dentin
Between which two structures are the palatine tonsils found?
Between the palatoglossal arch anteriorly and the palatopharyngeal arch posteriorly
Name the three major tonsils.
- Palatine
- Pharyngeal
- Lingual
Is there usually a lot of space between the tongue and palate?
Nope
Pharyngeal tonsils are also called _______ if they are near the eustachian tube, and ______ if they are enlarged.
called tubal if near the eustachain tube
called adenoid if enlarged
Why is surgical removal of the tonsils dangerous?
There is an ish-ton of blood supply.
Are there a ton of minor salivary glands on the palate?
Yeah
How many muscles make up the soft palate?
5
Name the muscles of the soft palate.
- Tensor veli palatini
- Levator veli palatini
- Palatopharyngeus
- Palatoglossus
- Uvula
What is the innervation to the soft palate muscles?
CN X (vagus) except for the TENSOR VELI PALATINI (V3)
What does the palatoglossus muscle do?
- Elevates tongue and pulls down soft palate and uvula - sealing off the oropharynx.
- Helps you make “K” sounds (velar consonants).
- Isolate vestibule saliva.
- Assists in swallowing.
What does the uvula muscle do?
- Helps with uvular consonants
2. Seals nasopharynx during swallowing.
What might a shortened or bidid uvula cause?
Middle ear infections due to nasal regurgitation.
Which soft palate muscle originates on the temporal bone and wraps around the pterygoid hamulus to act to flatten the palate? Which nerve innervates this muscle?
Tensor veli palatini - innervated by V3
Where does the levator veli palatini muscle originate? What is its action and innervation?
Originates in the scaphoid fossae of the temporal bone near the eustachian tube opening. Innervated by CN X (vagus), acts to elevate the palate.
Divers will swallow during their descents to equilibrate pressure in their ear. Which muscle is responsible for this opening of the eustachian tube?
The tensor veli palatini
Which cranial nerve sends sensory fibers to the palate? What are the exact names of these nerves?
V2 branches descend the palatine canal to the palate: lesser palatine nerve (posterior palate), greater palatine nerve (middle 4/5 of the palate)
The nasopalatine nerve (also V2) comes out the incisive foramen to provide sensory innervation to the anterior hard palate.
Describe the physical pathway of the nerves that provide sensory innervation to the palate.
V2 –> through foramen rotundum –> pterygopalatine fossa where the pterygopalatine ganglion is. From here…
The greater and lesser palatine nerves go through the descending palatine canal from here –> palate
The nasopalatine nerve goes through the sphenopalatine foramen –> nose –> incisive canal –> anterior palate.
What are oral vestibules? What nerves provide sensation to them?
Vestibules are the spaces between the teeth and lips. Superior (V2) and inferior (V3) alveolar nerves and the buccal nerve (V3) provides sensation to these.
Name the three extrinsic tongue muscles that have bony attachments. What is their innervation?
- Styloglossus
- Hyoglossus
- Genioglossus
All are innervated by CN XII
Are there a lot of intrinsic tongue muscles?
Yeah
