Palate and Pharynx Flashcards
describe the 3 divisions of the pharynx
nasopharynx, lined with respiratory epithelium (ciliated columnar), from posterior border of nasal septum to soft palate
oropharynx, lined with digestive epithelium (stratified columnar), from soft palate to epiglottis
laryngopahrynx, from epiglottis to esophagus (inferior border of cricoid cartilage)
what is the name of the auditory tube in nasopharynx?
pharyngotympanic tube
where are the tubal tonsils located and what is their function?
tubal tonsils are found in nasopharynx in submucosa
function is to protect airway from infection
what is the pharyngeal recess?
found in nasopharynx- a slit-like projection extending laterally and posteriorly (an area where you can get malignancies)
what is the salpingopharyngeal fold?
a vertical fold f mucous membrane in the nasopharynx, covering salpingopharyngeus muscle
opens the pharyngeal orifice of pharyngotympanic tube during swallowing
what is the tonsillar fossa?
found in the oropharynx, where tonsils sit
what is the epiglottis?
epiglottis is a leaf shaped piece of elastic cartilage, covered in mucosa, closes off larynx during swallowing so airway isn’t compromised with food during swallowing
what is vallecula?
recess between posterior end of tongue and epiglottis- where small fish bones can get stuck
what is the function of laryngeal inlet?
laryngeal inlet allows for communication between larynx and laryngopharynx (on anterior wall)
what is piriform recess?
small depression on either side of laryngeal inlet (in laryngopharynx), mucosa lined, separated from laryngeal inlet by aryepiglottic fold
branches of which nerve lie deep to mucous membrane of piriform fossa?
branches of internal laryngeal and recurrent laryngeal nerves (CN VII) lie deep to mucous membrane of piriform fossa
Describe the structure of tonsils
lymphoid tissue found in several places, forming Waldeyer’s ring
name the 4 types of tonsils and where they are found
pharyngeal tonsils- found in nasopharynx (referred to as adenoids when enlarged)
tubal tonsils- found in nasopharynx, around tympanic tube opening
palatine tonsils- found in fauces (oropharynx)
lingual tonsils- found on posterior 1/3 tongue
describe the muscles of the pharynx?
3 pharyngeal constrictors- superior, middle and inferior:
- overlapping structure
- supplied by vagus nerve (CN X)
- inferior contrictor has lower circular part which acts as a sphincter around upper esophagus
- act sequentially to move food down to esophagus during swallowing
3 pharyngeal elevators:
- palatopharyngeus
- stylopharyngeus
- salpingopharyngeus
- descend from skull and fan out in inner surface of pharynx
- supplied by CN X except stylopharyngeus (supplied by CN IX)
describe the features of hard palate (osteology, mucosa and features)
hard palate:
- anterior 3/4 formed by palatine process of maxilla
- posterior 1/4 formed by horizontal processes of palatine bones
- mucosa of hard palate has palatine rugae (help tongue movement, unique to individual)
- incisive papilla (overlies incisive fossa- depression in midline)- opening of incisive canals (nasopalatine nerve and greater palatine artery)
-greater palatine and lesser palatine foramen
Why does LA into gingiva anesthetize the mucosa of the palate?
superior lingual gingiva is continuous with mucosa of the palate
what does lesser palatine nerve supply?
lesser palatine nerve is a branch of maxillary nerve (CNV2) and supplies the soft palate
what does the greater palatine nerve supply?
greater palatine nerve is a branch of maxillary nerve (CN V2) and supplies the hard palate and gingiva up to 1st premolar
what is the pterygopalatine ganglion?
pterygopalatine ganglion sits deep in pterygopalatine fossa, with branches of CN V2, innervated by greater petrosal nerve (branch of CN VII)
parasympathetic ganglion
describe features of the soft palate?
soft palate is a muscular continuation of hard palate that separates naso and orop pharynx
- palatine aponeurosis provides it with stability, attaches to posterior edge of hard palate and between the pterygoid hamuli on either side
- pterygoid hamuli- feature of medial plate of pterygoid process
- uvula sits on postero-inferior curved free margin
what is the pillars of fauces?
palatoglossal and pharyngeal arches
palatoglossal forms the posterior border of the oral cavity
the space between the arches is isthmus of fauces (contains tonsillar fossae- palatine tonsils)
what is the function of isthmus of fauces
the isthmus of fauces establishes connection between the oral cavity and oropharynx
what is the uvula?
soft tissue projection posterior in oral cavity, helps create a seal when swallowing to prevent food/ liquid entering nasopharynx
describe the blood supply to the hard and soft palate?
hard palate- greater palatine artery
soft palate- lesser palatine artery
describe the venous drainage of the hard and soft palate
via pterygoid venous plexus
describe the motor control of the muscles of soft palate
all muscles of the soft palate are supplied via pharyngeal plexus of vagus nerve (CN X)
except- tensor veli palatini- supplied via mandibular nerve (CN V3)
name the 5 muscles of the soft palate
levator veli palatini
tensor veli palatini
palatopharyngeus
palatoglossus
musculus uvuale
describe the origin, insertion and action of tensor veli palatini and levator veli palatini
tensor veli palatini:
- origin: scaphoid fossa, spine of sphenoid and pharyngotympanic tube
- insertion: palatine aponeurosis
- action: tenses soft palate, opens auditory tube during swallowing and yawning
levator veli palatini:
- origin: pharyngotympanic tube
- insertion: palatine aponeurosis
- action: lifts palate up
what is the purpose of opening auditory tube during yawning?
to facilitate pressure exchange in the ear and outside
describe the origin and insertion of palatoglossus, palatopharyngeus and musculus uvuale
palatoglossus:
- origin: palatine aponeurosis
- insertion: intrinsic muscles of tongue
palatopharyngeus:
- origin: hard palate and palatine aponeurosis
- insertion: lateral wall of pharynx
musculus uvuale:
- origin: posterior nasal spine and palatine aponeurosis
- insertion: uvula
