Pharynx

Question 1

list the 3 parts of the pharynx from superior to inferior

Answer 1

• nasopharynx
• oropharynx
• laryngopharynx

Question 2

where is the nasopharynx located?

Answer 2

between the base of the skull and the soft palate

Question 3

what is the function of the nasopharynx?

Answer 3

respiratory - conditions inspired air

Question 4

what is the nasopharynx lined with?

Answer 4

respiratory epithelium - ciliated pseudostratified columnar epithelium with goblet cells

Question 5

where are the adenoid tonsils found?

Answer 5

posterosuperior nasopharynx

Question 6

what can happen if the adenoid tonsils become enlarged due to viral infections?

Answer 6

• obstruct opening of auditory tube
• prevents the equalising of pressure in the middle ear and normal drainage of fluid
• > chronic otitis media with effusion

Question 7

where is the oropharynx located?

Answer 7

between soft palate and superior border of the epiglottis

Question 8

what 4 structures does the oropharynx contain?

Answer 8

• posterior third of tongue
• lingual tonsils
• palatine tonsils
• superior constrictor muscles

Question 9

waldeyers ring

Answer 9

ring of lymphoid tissue in naso and oropharynx formed by the paired palatine, adenoid and lingual tonsils

Question 10

what is the role of the oropharynx?

Answer 10

voluntary and involuntary phases of swallowing

Question 11

where is the laryngopharynx located?

Answer 11

between superior border of epiglottis and inferior border of cricoid cartilage (C6)

Question 12

what are the two main groups of pharyngeal muscles?

Answer 12

longitudinal and circular

Question 13

the muscles of the pharynx are innervated by what nerve?
what is the exception to this?

Answer 13

vagus nerve
- stylopharyngeus is the exception (glossopharyngeal nerve)

Question 14

how many circular pharyngeal constrictor muscles are there?

Answer 14

3 - superior, middle, inferior

Question 15

what is the role of the circular pharyngeal muscles?

Answer 15

constrict the pharyngeal lumen and propel food inferiorly to oesophagus

Question 16

origin and insertion of superior pharyngeal constrictor

Answer 16

origin - Pterygoid hamulus, posterior end of
mylohiod line (plus non bony attachments
– pterygomandibular raphe, side of
tongue)
insertion - Pharyngeal tubercle of
occipital bone (plus none bony
attachment – pharyngeal
raphe)

Question 17

origin and insertion of middle pharyngeal constrictor

Answer 17

origin - Greater and lesser horns of hyoid (plus
non bony attachments – stylohoid
ligament)
insertion - None bony – pharyngeal raphe

Question 18

origin and insertion of inferior pharyngeal constrictor

Answer 18

origin - None bony - thyroid and cricoid cartilages
insertion -None bony – pharyngeal raphe

Question 19

what are the 3 longitudinal pharyngeal muscles?

Answer 19

stylopharyngeus
palatopharyngeus
salpingopharyngeus

Question 20

what is the role of the longitudinal pharyngeal muscles?

Answer 20

• shorten and widen the pharynx
• elevate the larynx during swallowing

Question 21

the salpingopharyngeus muscle is responsible for swallowing - what else is it responsible for?

Answer 21

opening the eustachian tube

Question 22

origin and insertion of stylopharyngeus

Answer 22

origin - . Styloid process of temporal bone
insertion - None bony – side of pharynx

Question 23

origin and insertion of palatopharyngeus

Answer 23

origin - None bony – palatine aponeurosis
insertion - . None bony – thyroid cartilage
& side of pharynx

Question 24

origin and insertion of salpingopharyngeus

Answer 24

origin - . None bony – pharyngotympanic tube
insertion -. None bony – side of pharynx

Question 25

what is the motor and sensory innervation of the majority of the pharynx (except the nasopharynx)?

Answer 25

pharyngeal plexus

Question 26

what is the pharyngeal plexus formed by?

Answer 26

• branches from glossopharyngeal nerve
• branch of vagus nerve
• branches of external laryngeal nerve
• sympathetic fibres from superior cervical ganglion

Question 27

what is the arterial supply of the pharynx?

Answer 27

external carotid artery

Question 28

what is the venous drainage of the pharynx?

Answer 28

pharyngeal venous plexus

Question 29

label the pharynx

Answer 29

Question 30

label these pharyngeal muscles

Answer 30

Question 31

Label the diagram of the posterior pharynx

Answer 31

Question 32

LabEl waldeyers ring

Answer 32