Pharynx

Question 1

what is the superior and inferior boundaries of the nasopharynx

Answer 1

posterior border of nasal septum
soft palate

Question 2

what is the superior and inferior boundaries of the oropharynx

Answer 2

soft palate
superior border of epiglottis

Question 3

what is the superior and inferior boundaries of the laryngopharynx

Answer 3

superior border of epiglottis
inferior border of cricoid cartilage

Question 4

what epithelium is present in the nasopharynx

Answer 4

respiratory epithelium with mucus producing goblet cells

Question 5

what are the choanae

Answer 5

where the nose opens into the nasopharynx

Question 6

where are the salpingopharyngeal folds

Answer 6

they cover the salpingopharyngeal muscle

Question 7

what is the function of the salpingopharyngeal folds

Answer 7

opens pharyngeal orifice of pharygotympanic tube during swallowing

Question 8

what cells is the oropharynx lined with

Answer 8

stratified squamous epithelium (same as oral cavity)

Question 9

where do the palatine tonsils sit

Answer 9

the tonsillar fossa

Question 10

what is the function of the epiglottis

Answer 10

closes off the larynx during swallowing so airway isnt compromised

Question 11

what is the vallecula

Answer 11

depression near the epiglottis - 1 of 2 places where fishbones can get stuck

Question 12

what are the posterior walls of the laryngopharynx

Answer 12

middle and inferior pharyngeal constrictor muscles

Question 13

what are the internal walls of the laryngopharynx

Answer 13

palatopharyngeus and stylopharyngeus muscles

Question 14

what is the laryngeal inlet

Answer 14

how the laryngopharynx communicates with the larynx

Question 15

what lies deep to the piriform fossa that can be damaged if there is a fishbone stuck there

Answer 15

internal and recurrent laryngeal nerves

Question 16

what are the four tonsils that are part of waldeyer’s ring

Answer 16

pharyngeal tonsils
tubal tonsils
palatine tonsils
lingual tonsils

Question 17

what is the function of tonsils

Answer 17

train lymphocytes and immune system to recognise cells and micro-organisms that get trapped in crypts of lymphoid tissue

Question 18

what are the three phases involved in swallowing

Answer 18

oral phase
pharyngeal phase
oesophageal phase

Question 19

what happens in the oral phase

Answer 19

food bolus enters oral cavity and tongue movements push food into oropharynx

Question 20

what happens in the pharyngeal phase

Answer 20

superior pharyngeal constrictor contracts to elevate soft palate which then allows pharynx to receive bolus

Question 21

what happens in the oesophageal phase

Answer 21

inferior pharyngeal constrictor contracts and upper oesophageal sphincter relaxes to allow bolus into oesophagus

Question 22

what type of movement pushes bolus to the stomach

Answer 22

peristaltic