Pharynx Flashcards
Where does the pharynx begin and end?
It beings at the base of the skull and ends inferiorly to the cricoid cartilage at C6
What are the 3 parts of the pharynx?
Nasopharynx
Oropharynx
Laryngopharynx
What are the types of muscles making up the pharynx?
Circular and longitudinal muscles
What provides motor innervation to the musculature of the pharynx?
All muscles are innervated by CN X, except stylopharyngeus which is innervated by CN IX
What is the function of the circular pharyngeal muscles?
They contract from superior to inferior to constrict the lumen and propel the bolus of food inferiorly into the oesophagus
Where do the circular pharyngeal muscles insert?
They insert onto the midline posteriorly to form the pharyngeal raphe
What is the origin of the superior pharyngeal constrictor?
Pterygoid hamulus
Pterygomandibular raphe
Posterior end of mylohyoid line of mandible
What is the insertion of the superior pharyngeal constrictor?
Pharyngeal tubercle
Pharyngeal raphe
What is the origin of the middle pharyngeal constrictor?
Stylohyoid ligament
Greater and lesser horns of hyoid
What is the insertion of the middle pharyngeal constrictor?
Pharyngeal raphe
What are the divisions of the inferior pharyngeal constrictor?
Thyropharyngeus and cricopharyngeal
What is the origin of the inferior pharyngeal constrictor?
Thyropharyngeus: Oblique line of thyroid cartilage
Cricopharyngeus: Side of cricoid cartilage
What is the insertion of the inferior pharyngeal constrictor?
Thyropharyngeus: Pharyngeal raphe
Cricopharyngeus: Blends inferiorly with circular muscle fibres of the oesophagus
How does the fibres between the thyro- and cricopharyngeus differ?
Thyropharyngeus has oblique fibres and circopharyngeus has horizontal fibres
What lines the circular pharyngeal muscles internally?
Pharyngobasillar fascia
What lines the circular pharyngeal muscles externally?
Buccopharyngeal fascia
Which structures pass through the space between the superior pharyngeal constrictor and the base of the skull?
Levator vali platini muscles
Auditory tube
Which structures pass through the space between the superior and middle pharyngeal constrictor muscles?
Stylopharyngeus muscle
CN IX
Stylohyoid ligament
Which structures pass through the space between the middle and inferior pharyngeal constrictors?
Internal branch of superior laryngeal nerve
Superior laryngeal artery
Which structures pass below the inferior pharyngeal constrictor?
Recurrent laryngeal nerve
What are the longitudinal muscles of the pharynx?
Stylopharyngeus
Palatopharyngeus
Salpingopharyngeus
What is the origin of the stylopharyngeus?
Styloid process of temporal bone
What is insertion of the stylopharyngeus?
Posterior and superior borders of thyroid cartilage with palatopharyngeus
What is the origin of the palatopharyngeus?
Hard palate and palatine aponeurosis
What is the insertion of the palatopharyngeus?
Posterior border of lamina of thyroid cartilage and side of pharynx and oesophagus
What is the origin of the salpingopharyngeus?
Cartilaginous part of Eustachian tube
What is the insertion of the salpingopharyngeus?
Blends with palatopharyngeus
What makes up the pharyngeal plexus?
Glossopharyngeal nerve
Vagus nerve
Sympathetic fibres from superior cervical ganglion
What provides sensory innervation to the pharynx?
Nasopharynx = CN Vb
Oropharynx = glossopharyngeal
Laryngopharynx = CN X
What provides blood supply to the pharynx?
Branches of the ECA - ascending pharyngeal artery, lingual artery, facial artery, maxillary artery
What drains the pharynx?
Pharyngeal venous plexus into the IJV
Where is the nasopharynx located between?
Base of the skull and soft palate
Which tonsils are found in the nasopharynx?
Adenoid tonsils
Between which two points does the oropharynx extend?
Soft palate and superior border of epiglottis
Which structures are found in the oropharynx?
Root of tongue, lingual tonsils and palatine tonsils
Between which two points does the laryngopharynx extend?
Superior border of epiglottis to inferior border of cricoid cartilage
