Pharynx

Question 1

What 3 components make up the pharynx?

Answer 1

Nasopharynx

Oropharynx

Laryngopharynx

Question 2

What are the boundaries of the nasopharynx and the epithelial cells that line it?

Answer 2

Posterior border of nasal septum to the soft palate

Respiratory epithelium (ciliates columnar)

Question 3

What are the boundaries and epithelium of the oropharynx?

Answer 3

Soft palate, base of tongue and superior border of epiglottis

Stratified squamous

Question 4

What are the boundaries of the laryngopharynx?

Answer 4

Superior of epiglottis, inferior of cricoid cartilage

Question 5

Describe the lymphoid tissue found in the pharynx

Answer 5

Waldeyers ring

Pharyngeal tonsils in nasopharynx

Tubal tonsils around typanic tube

Palatine tonsils in oropharynx

Lingual tonsils on posterior 1/3 of tongue

Question 6

Describe the posterior anatomical features of the pharynx

Answer 6

Pharyngobasilar fascia at the top - holds nasopharynx open

Pharyngeal constrictors running up the back, superior, middle and inferior. - pushes food bolts towards oesophagus

Pharyngeal elevators alongside - lifts pharynx to recieve bolts from oral cavity

Question 7

What nerve innervates the pharyngeal constrictors?

How is air prevented from entering the oesophagus?

Answer 7

Vagus nerve via pharyngeal plexus

Lower constrictor has circular part (cricopharyngeus) that acts as sphincter
- around upper oesophagus

Question 8

Function of the palatopharyngeus? What innervates it

Answer 8

Elevate pharynx and larynx, draw soft palate downwards

Vagus nerve

Question 9

Function and innervation of stylopharyngeus?

Answer 9

Function to elevate pharynx and larynx

Only one innervated by Glossopharyngeal

Question 10

Function and innervation of Salpingopharyngeus?

Answer 10

Elevates pharynx and larynx, helps open auditory tube during swallowing for pressure equalisation

Innervated by vagus nerve

Question 11

What three phases of swallowing is there?

Answer 11

Oral (voluntary phase)

Pharyngeal (involuntary phase)

Oesophageal phase

Question 12

What occurs in the oral phase of swallowing?

Answer 12

Food bonus formed in oral cavity through chewing and coordinated movements

Bonus then pushed into oropharynx by the tongue

Nasopharynx closed by the soft palate

Question 13

What occurs in the pharyngeal phase?

Answer 13

Superior pharyngeal constrictor contraction + soft palate elevation

Pharyngeal elevators elevate the palate to accept bolus

Constrictors push bolus toward the oesophagus

Epiglottis closes laryngeal inlet protecting Airway

Question 14

What occurs in the oesophageal phase?

Answer 14

Inferior pharyngeal constrictor constricts and superior relaxes moving bolus into the oesophagus

Peristaltic movements move it to stomach