Pharynx

Question 1

nasopharynx

Answer 1

• most superior portion of pharynx
• space above soft palate
• posterior boundary: pharyngeal protuberance
• anterior boundary: nasaal chonae (openings between nasal cavity and nasopharynx)
• lateral wall contains orifice of eustachian tube

Question 2

oropharynx

Answer 2

• middle portion of pharynx
• inferior to velum (soft palate)
• posterior to fauces (palatopharyngeus muscle)
• superior to level of hyoid bone
• behind oral cavity

Question 3

laryngopharynx/hypopharynx

Answer 3

• most inferior portion of pharynx
• below level of hyoid bone
• superior to esophagus
• “behind the larynx”
• “bound anteriorly by epiglottis”
• *laryngeal vestibule is larynx NOT laryngopharynx

Question 4

pharyngeal function

Answer 4

• passage for air during respiration
• passage for food/liquid
• shapes sounds of speech

Question 5

superior pharyngeal constrictor

Answer 5

origin: projects back from pterygomandibular raphe
insertion: median pharyngeal raphe
- forms sides & back wall of nasopharynx
- part of posterior wall of oropharynx
innervation: CN X + XI

Question 6

pterygomandibular raphe

Answer 6

• thin band consisting of interlacing tendinous fibers from central part of buccinator anteriorly and pterygopharyngeal part of superior constrictor posteriorly
• descends from medial pterygoid plate to posterior end of mylohyoid in mandible
• covered in mucous

Question 7

median pharyngeal raphe

Answer 7

• median fibrous band
• found on posterior aspect of pharynx
• inferiorly, blends with circular muscular fibers of esophagus
• superiorly it is attached to the pharyngeal tubercle of the occipital bone

Question 8

function of superior pharyngeal constrictor

Answer 8

• constriction of upper pharynx
• assists in velopharyngeal seal
• speech: oral and nasal consonants
• swallow: prevention of nasal regurgitation

Question 9

middle pharyngeal constrictor

Answer 9

origin: horns of hyoid bone and stylohyoid ligament
insertion: median pharyngeal raphe
innervation: CN X + XI
function: narrows pharyngeal diameter

Question 10

inferior pharyngeal constrictor

Answer 10

two parts:

cricopharyngeus & thyropharyngeus

Question 11

thyropharyngeus

Answer 11

origin: lateral surface of cricoid cartilage, inferior cornu
insertion: pharyngeal raphe
innervation: X
function: assist in swallowing

Question 12

cricopharyngeus

Answer 12

origin: lateral surface of arch of cricoid cartilage
insertion: inferior fibers blend with esophageal fibers
innervation: X
function: vital protection function
- maintains tone to stay closed
- second line of defense against gastroesophageal reflix
- during swallow, relaxes and is pulled open to permit food/liquid to esophageus
* SPHINCTER
- upper esophageal sphincter UES
- pharyngo-esophageal segment PES

Question 13

salpingopharyngeus

Answer 13

origin: cartilaginous end of eustachian tube
insertion: palatopharyngeus muscle
innervation: X + XI
function: elevates pharynx, produve salpingopharyngeal fold

Question 14

stylopharyngeus

Answer 14

origin: styloid process of temporal bone
insertion: constrictor muscles, thyroid cartilage
innervation: CN IX
function: elevates & dialates pharynx