Pharynx Flashcards
what is the superior and inferior boundaries of the nasopharynx
posterior border of nasal septum
soft palate
what is the superior and inferior boundaries of the oropharynx
soft palate
superior border of epiglottis
what is the superior and inferior boundaries of the laryngopharynx
superior border of epiglottis
inferior border of cricoid cartilage
what epithelium is present in the nasopharynx
respiratory epithelium with mucus producing goblet cells
what are the choanae
where the nose opens into the nasopharynx
where are the salpingopharyngeal folds
they cover the salpingopharyngeal muscle
what is the function of the salpingopharyngeal folds
opens pharyngeal orifice of pharygotympanic tube during swallowing
what cells is the oropharynx lined with
stratified squamous epithelium (same as oral cavity)
where do the palatine tonsils sit
the tonsillar fossa
what is the function of the epiglottis
closes off the larynx during swallowing so airway isnt compromised
what is the vallecula
depression near the epiglottis - 1 of 2 places where fishbones can get stuck
what are the posterior walls of the laryngopharynx
middle and inferior pharyngeal constrictor muscles
what are the internal walls of the laryngopharynx
palatopharyngeus and stylopharyngeus muscles
what is the laryngeal inlet
how the laryngopharynx communicates with the larynx
what lies deep to the piriform fossa that can be damaged if there is a fishbone stuck there
internal and recurrent laryngeal nerves
what are the four tonsils that are part of waldeyer’s ring
pharyngeal tonsils
tubal tonsils
palatine tonsils
lingual tonsils
what is the function of tonsils
train lymphocytes and immune system to recognise cells and micro-organisms that get trapped in crypts of lymphoid tissue
what are the three phases involved in swallowing
oral phase
pharyngeal phase
oesophageal phase
what happens in the oral phase
food bolus enters oral cavity and tongue movements push food into oropharynx
what happens in the pharyngeal phase
superior pharyngeal constrictor contracts to elevate soft palate which then allows pharynx to receive bolus
what happens in the oesophageal phase
inferior pharyngeal constrictor contracts and upper oesophageal sphincter relaxes to allow bolus into oesophagus
what type of movement pushes bolus to the stomach
peristaltic
