pharynx Flashcards
why is C6 a major landmark in neck
Lower limit of pharynx
Start of oesophagus
Lower limit of larynx
Start of trachea
where does pharynx end
inferior border of cricoid cartilage (vertebral level C6)
name the 4 layers of the pharyngeal wall
- buccopharyngeal fascia
- pharyngobasilar fascia
- muscular layer
- mucous membrane
what is the function of the Buccopharyngeal fascia
covers buccinator muscle
what is the role of the pharyngobasilar fascia
supports the pharyngeal mucosa
name the subdivisions of the pharynx
nasopharynx (behind nasal cavity)
oropharynx (behind oral cavity)
laryngopharynx/hypopharynx (behind larynx)
what is the function of the nasopharynx
connects nose to respiratory system
what is in the nasopharynx
eustachian tube and nasopharyngeal tonsil (adenoid)
what is the nasopharyngeal tonsil
a collection of lymphoid tissue within the mucosa of the roof of the nasopharynx
what is in the oropharynx
Oropharyngeal isthmus/fauces/isthmus of fauces, epiglottic valleculae and palatine tonsil
what is the Oropharyngeal isthmus
the opening between the oral cavity and pharynx – it’s margin is the palatoglossal fold
where is the palatine tonsil
between palatoglossal fold and palatopharyngeal fold
what is the function of the epiglottis valleculae
Collects saliva and prevent the swallowing reflex while a person is supine during sleep
These depressions serve as “spit traps”; saliva is temporarily held in the valleculae to prevent initiation of the swallowing reflex.
what is the epiglottic valleculae
paired small mucosa-lined depressions located at the base/just between the root of the tongue and epiglottis and separated by the medial glosso-epiglottic folds.
what is in the hypopharynx
piriform sinuses and laryngeal inlet/aditus
what are the piriform sinuses
two pear-shaped recesses located on either side of the laryngeal opening, play role in speech
what is the laryngeal inlet
entrance from pharynx to cavity of larynx
what is laryngopharyngeal reflux
caused by acid reflux beyond your esophagus, causing irritation of throat and sinuses and voice disturbance.
name the 3 constrictor muscles of the pharynx
superior, middle nd inferior constrictor
name the 3 longitundinal muscles of the pharynx
Salpingopharyngeus, Palatopharyngeus, Stylopharyngeus
what is the pharyngeal raphe
a fibrous structure from pharyngeal tubercle to lower end of pharynx
what is the function of the superior constrictor muscle
constricts the upper part of the pharynx, which facilitates swallowing by pushing the bolus inferiorly, into the oesophagus and stomach.
where do the constrictor muscles in the phaynx insert
pharyngeal raphe
what is the function of the constrictor muscles
They contract sequentially from superior to inferior to constrict the pharyngeal lumen
name the two parts of the inferior constrictor muscle
thyropharyngeusand cricopharyngeus
what is the function of the inferior pharyngeal constrictor muscle
To prevent the reflux of foods from the oesophagus into the throat, the cricopharyngeus is usually shut tight. When a person swallows, it relaxes and allows food to pass.
where does the superior constrictor muscle attach
Pterygomandibular raphe
where does the middle constrictor muscle attach
Greater cornu of hyoid bone
Lesser cornu of hyoid bone
Stylohyoid ligament
where does the inferior constrictor muscle attach
Oblique line of thyroid cartilage
Tendinous arch over cricothyroid muscle
Cricoid cartilage
what is the function of the longitudinal muscles of the pharynx
elevate the pharynx and larynx during swallowing
what is the stylopharyngeus muscle innervated by
glossopharyngeal nerve
what motor nerve innervates the pharynx
the vagus nerve
what nerve is the nasopharynx innervated by
maxillary nerve
what nerve innervates the oropharynx
glossopharyngeal nerve
what innervates the hypopharynx
vagus nerve
Pharyngeal diverticulum or pouches occur in an areas of weakness between which muscles
Thyropharyngeus and Cricopharyngeus
which nerve is involved in the sensory arc of the gag reflex
glossopharyngeal
what nerves are part of the pharyngeal plexus
pharyngeal branch of vagus nerve, branches of the glossopharyngeal nerve and branches of sympathetic trunk
what muscle closes the ostium of the auditory tube when swallowing
salpingopharyngeus
what are all the muscles in the pharynx innervated by (except the stylopharyngeus)
the pharyngeal plexus and pharyngeal branch of the vagus nerve
