Pharynx

Question 1

Where does the pharynx begin and end?

Answer 1

It beings at the base of the skull and ends inferiorly to the cricoid cartilage at C6

Question 2

What are the 3 parts of the pharynx?

Answer 2

Nasopharynx
Oropharynx
Laryngopharynx

Question 3

What are the types of muscles making up the pharynx?

Answer 3

Circular and longitudinal muscles

Question 4

What provides motor innervation to the musculature of the pharynx?

Answer 4

All muscles are innervated by CN X, except stylopharyngeus which is innervated by CN IX

Question 5

What is the function of the circular pharyngeal muscles?

Answer 5

They contract from superior to inferior to constrict the lumen and propel the bolus of food inferiorly into the oesophagus

Question 6

Where do the circular pharyngeal muscles insert?

Answer 6

They insert onto the midline posteriorly to form the pharyngeal raphe

Question 7

What is the origin of the superior pharyngeal constrictor?

Answer 7

Pterygoid hamulus
Pterygomandibular raphe
Posterior end of mylohyoid line of mandible

Question 8

What is the insertion of the superior pharyngeal constrictor?

Answer 8

Pharyngeal tubercle
Pharyngeal raphe

Question 9

What is the origin of the middle pharyngeal constrictor?

Answer 9

Stylohyoid ligament
Greater and lesser horns of hyoid

Question 10

What is the insertion of the middle pharyngeal constrictor?

Answer 10

Pharyngeal raphe

Question 11

What are the divisions of the inferior pharyngeal constrictor?

Answer 11

Thyropharyngeus and cricopharyngeal

Question 12

What is the origin of the inferior pharyngeal constrictor?

Answer 12

Thyropharyngeus: Oblique line of thyroid cartilage
Cricopharyngeus: Side of cricoid cartilage

Question 13

What is the insertion of the inferior pharyngeal constrictor?

Answer 13

Thyropharyngeus: Pharyngeal raphe
Cricopharyngeus: Blends inferiorly with circular muscle fibres of the oesophagus

Question 14

How does the fibres between the thyro- and cricopharyngeus differ?

Answer 14

Thyropharyngeus has oblique fibres and circopharyngeus has horizontal fibres

Question 15

What lines the circular pharyngeal muscles internally?

Answer 15

Pharyngobasillar fascia

Question 16

What lines the circular pharyngeal muscles externally?

Answer 16

Buccopharyngeal fascia

Question 17

Which structures pass through the space between the superior pharyngeal constrictor and the base of the skull?

Answer 17

Levator vali platini muscles
Auditory tube

Question 18

Which structures pass through the space between the superior and middle pharyngeal constrictor muscles?

Answer 18

Stylopharyngeus muscle
CN IX
Stylohyoid ligament

Question 19

Which structures pass through the space between the middle and inferior pharyngeal constrictors?

Answer 19

Internal branch of superior laryngeal nerve
Superior laryngeal artery

Question 20

Which structures pass below the inferior pharyngeal constrictor?

Answer 20

Recurrent laryngeal nerve

Question 21

What are the longitudinal muscles of the pharynx?

Answer 21

Stylopharyngeus
Palatopharyngeus
Salpingopharyngeus

Question 22

What is the origin of the stylopharyngeus?

Answer 22

Styloid process of temporal bone

Question 23

What is insertion of the stylopharyngeus?

Answer 23

Posterior and superior borders of thyroid cartilage with palatopharyngeus

Question 24

What is the origin of the palatopharyngeus?

Answer 24

Hard palate and palatine aponeurosis

Question 25

What is the insertion of the palatopharyngeus?

Answer 25

Posterior border of lamina of thyroid cartilage and side of pharynx and oesophagus

Question 26

What is the origin of the salpingopharyngeus?

Answer 26

Cartilaginous part of Eustachian tube

Question 27

What is the insertion of the salpingopharyngeus?

Answer 27

Blends with palatopharyngeus

Question 28

What makes up the pharyngeal plexus?

Answer 28

Glossopharyngeal nerve Vagus nerve Sympathetic fibres from superior cervical ganglion

Question 29

What provides sensory innervation to the pharynx?

Answer 29

Nasopharynx = CN Vb Oropharynx = glossopharyngeal Laryngopharynx = CN X

Question 30

What provides blood supply to the pharynx?

Answer 30

Branches of the ECA - ascending pharyngeal artery, lingual artery, facial artery, maxillary artery

Question 31

What drains the pharynx?

Answer 31

Pharyngeal venous plexus into the IJV

Question 32

Where is the nasopharynx located between?

Answer 32

Base of the skull and soft palate

Question 33

Which tonsils are found in the nasopharynx?

Answer 33

Adenoid tonsils

Question 34

Between which two points does the oropharynx extend?

Answer 34

Soft palate and superior border of epiglottis

Question 35

Which structures are found in the oropharynx?

Answer 35

Root of tongue, lingual tonsils and palatine tonsils

Question 36

Between which two points does the laryngopharynx extend?

Answer 36

Superior border of epiglottis to inferior border of cricoid cartilage