Pharynx Flashcards
What is the pharynx?
Pharynx is a musculofascial cylinder that connects the nasal and oral cavities (head) to the larynx and oesophagus (neck)
What is the general function of the pharynx?
It is the common pathway for both food and air
What is the superior attachment of the pharynx?
Base of the skull
Inferiorly the pharynx is continuous with _____________ and _______________.
Larynx & Oesophagus
What are the attachments of the walls of the pharynx?
Nasal and oral cavities, and the larynx
What separates the pharynx from the vertebral bodies?
Retropharyngeal space (filled with loose connective tissue)
List the 3 divisions of the pharynx
Nasopharynx
Oropharynx
Laryngopharynx
Name the structures that open to each division of the pharynx respectively
Choanae open into nasopharynx
Oropharyngeal isthmus (posterior opening
of oral cavity) opens into oropharynx
Laryngeal inlet (superior aperture of larynx)
opens into laryngopharynx
Describe the roof of the nasopharynx
Formed by the sloping base of the skull, behind the choanae, above the level of the soft palate
What structure is found on the mucosa covering the roof of the nasopharynx? Describe this structure
Pharyngeal tonsil. I t is the collection of lymphoid tissue. It is called adenoids when enlarged.
What connects the middle ear to the nasopharynx?
Pharyngotympanic tube
Where does the pharyngeal opening of the pharyngotympanic tube lie?
Lies on the lateral wall of the nasopharynx, posterior to and slightly above the level of the hard palate
How does the pharyngotympanic tube enter the pharynx from the middle ear?
It extends forward, medially and downward from the middle ear to enter the nasopharynx
What are the two parts of the pharyngotympanic tube?
- Bony part (1/3rd proximal to middle ear)
- Cartilaginous part (2/3rd distal to middle ear)
What is the function of the pharyngotympanic tube?
Equalizes pressure on both sides of tympanic
membrane.
Where is the oropharynx situated?
It is situated behind the oral cavity, at the level of the soft palate to the superior margin of the epiglottis
What marks the boundary between the between the oral cavity and the oropharynx?
Palatoglossal arches
The opening between the palatoglossal arches is called _________________.
Oropharyngeal isthmus
Describe the anterior wall of the oropharynx
Inferior to the oropharyngeal isthmus, upper part of the posterior 1/3rd of the tongue