Pharynx

Question 1

Describe the pharynx

Answer 1

Common cavity for food

Nasopharynx:
Dorsal to soft palate
Lined with respiratory epithelium
Borders: base of skull, soft palate & cranial cervical vertebrae

Oropharynx:
Ventral to soft palate
Lined with stratified squamous epithelium
Borders: tongue, soft palate, palatoglossal arches

Laryngopharynx:
From intrapharyngeal opening to opening of oesophagus & larynx

Question 2

Describe the soft palate

Answer 2

Divides pharynx

Covered by respiratory & stratified squamous epithelium

Palatinus muscles (shortens palate)

Controlled by 2 muscles:
Tensor veli palatini - Causes tension - Innervated by trigeminal nerve
Levator veli palatini - Raises soft palate

Swallowing & mouth breathing

Question 3

Outline changes in pharynx during inhalation

Answer 3

Pharynx muscles relax & expand to allow air to pass through nasal & oral cavities

Soft palate raises to close off nasal cavity & prevent inhalation of foreign substances

Epiglottis covers larynx to prevent food & liquid from entering airways

Question 4

Outline changes in pharynx during swallowing

Answer 4

Pharynx undergoes series of coordinated contractions to move food from back of mouth to esophagus

Question 5

Label the image and describe what guttural pouch is

Answer 5

Pharyngeal opening of auditory tube

Connecting tunnel between nasopharynx & middle ear

Question 6

What are some structures passing over the guttural pouch

Answer 6

Cranial nerves 9, 10 & 11
Internal carotid artery

Cranial nerve 7
Internal maxillary artery

Pharyngeal lymph nodes