Pharynx Flashcards
what is the pharynx ?
where does it extend to?
what areas does it connect
A. The pharynx is a musculofascial tube serving respiratory and digestive functions.
B. Extends from base of the skull to CV6, where it is continuous with esophagus.
C. Connects oral and nasal cavities to larynx, for passage of air to and from lungs.
D. Connects oral cavity to the esophagus for passage of food/liquids to the stomach.
what are the 3 divisions of the pharynx
- Nasopharynx – posterior to nasal cavities
- Oropharynx – posterior to oral cavity
- Laryngopharynx – posterior to larynx, anterior to CV4-5
what are the 7 cavities that the pharynx communicates with?
- Nasal cavities (2) via choanae
- Tympanic cavities (2) via auditory (pharyngotympanic; Eustachian) tube
- Oral cavity
- Larynx
- Esophagus
what is the pharyngeal recess
located on the posterior superior wall of nasopharynx (roof)
where is the pharyngeal tonsil?
located within pharyngeal recess
what is clinically significant about the pharyngeal tonsils?
Adenoids – enlarged, inflamed pharyngeal tonsils. Enlarged tonsils can obstruct nasopharynx, making breathing difficult. Infection can also spread to tubal tonsils; blocking the auditory tube and impairing hearing. Infections can also spread to middle ear (causing otitis media) via the auditory tube
where is the tubal tonsil
located near the opening of auditory tube
lymphoid tissue
what is the torus tubarius
tubal elevation
a mucosal prominence formed by cartilage of auditory tube
pharyngeal ostium below torus tubarius represents opening of auditory tube
what is the salpingopharygeal fold
fold of mucosa overlying salpingopharyngeus muscle
attachments of salpingopharygneal muscle
innervation?
funciton?
b. Salpingopharyngeus muscle
1. Origin – cartilage of auditory tube
2. Insertion – thyroid cartilage
3. Innervation – vagus nerve
4. Function – assists other pharyngeal muscles during swallowing
what is the levator pad
located below torus tubarius
fold of mucosa overlying levator veli palatine muscle
what is the oropharynx
portion of pharynx posterior to oral cavity
what is a fauces
passageway from mouth to oropharynx
what are the faucial pillars
palatoglossal and palatopharyngeal folds
what is the palatoglossal arch
fold of mucosa overlying palatogluss muscles
attachments of palatoglossus muscle
innervation
function
- Origin – soft palate
- Insertion – tongue
- Innervation – vagus n
- Function – pulls tongue and soft palate together during swallowing
what is the tonsillar bed/fossa and what structures form the tonsillar bed
depression b/w palatoglossal and palatopharyngeal folds
- Superior constrictor
- Hyoglossus
- Middle constrictor
attachments of the palatopharygeus muscle
innervation
function
- Origin – soft palate
- Insertion – thyroid cartilage
- Innervation – vagus n
- Function – swallowing
what is the palatopharyngeal arch
fold of mucosa overlying palatopharyngeus muscle
where is the palatine tonsil
within the tonsillar bed
what is the epiglottic valleculae
depressions (2) between epiglottis and posterior tongue
formed by lateral and median glossoepiglottic folds
where is the piriform recess?
what runs through this area?
what is clinically significant about this area?
- Piriform recess
a. Depression lateral to larynx
b. Internal laryngeal nerve runs deep to the mucosa of the piriform recess. - Narrows inferiorly to become continuous with the esophagus.
- CLINICAL CORRELATION: Swallowed/inspired objects can sometimes lodge in the epiglottic valleculae or piriform recesses. If an object pierces the mucosa of the piriform recess it can potentially damage the internal laryngeal nerve.
what are the two fascias of the pharynx
A. Pharyngobasilar fascia
- Internal
- Lines muscles of pharynx
B. Buccopharyngeal fascia
- External
- Covers muscles of pharynx
superior constrictor
forms superior portion of pharynx
attaches to base of skull
vagus via pharyngeal plexus
swallowing
middle constrictor
circularly oriented muscle forming middle portion of pharynx
attaches to hyoid bone
vagus
swallowing
inferior constrictor
circularly oriented forming inferior portion of pharynx
attaches to thyroid and cricoid cartilages
vagus
swallowing
where does the pharyngeal raphe attach?
pharygneal tubercle on base of skull
stylopharygneus attachments
innervation!!
function
- Origin – styloid process
- Insertion – thyroid cartilage
- Function – swallowing
- Innervation – CN IX
b/w middle and superior constrictors
salpingopharyngeus
attachments
innervation
function
- Origin – cartilage of auditory tube
- Insertion – thyroid cartilage
- Function – swallowing
- Innervation – CN X
palatopharyngeus
- Origin – hard and soft palates
- Insertion – thyroid cartilage
- Function – swallowing
- Innervation – CN X
why are there gaps in the pharygneal wall
b/c the overlapping pharyngeal constrictor muscles leave gaps in walls of pharynx and these gaps allow for passage of structures to and from the pharynx
gap 1
- Between base of skull and superior constrictor
2. Allows for passage of levator veli palatini and auditory tube.
gap 2
- Between superior and middle constrictors
2. Allows for passage of stylopharyngeus and glossopharyngeal n
gap 3
- Between middle and inferior constrictors
2. Allows for passage of internal laryngeal nerve and superior laryngeal artery
gap 4
- Between inferior constrictor muscle and esophagus
2. Allows for passage of inferior (recurrent) laryngeal nerve and artery.
what is the arterial supply to the pharynx
- Superior thyroid artery
2. Ascending pharyngeal artery
what is the venous drainage of the pharynx
pharyngeal plexus of veins
drain to INTERNAL jugular vein
what components are in the pharyngeal nerve plexus
GVA – from CN IX
GVE-P from CN X
SVE – from CN X (except stylopharyngeus – CN IX)
GVE-S directly from sympathetic chain
where does the glossopharyngeal travel in the pharynx
sits on top of the stylopharyngeus
what is the gag reflex?
- Afferent limb – glossopharyngeal nerve (in by 9) GVA component
- Efferent limb – vagus nerve. (out by 10)
- Protective response to prevent foreign objects from passing deeper into pharynx or larynx. Stimulated by touching root of tongue, oropharynx.
what is the lymphatics drainage of the pharynx
A. Retropharyngeal lymph nodes drain to deep cervical lymph nodes
B. Deep cervical lymph nodes
