Pharynx Flashcards
What is the pharynx
A funnel-shaped tube at the upper part of the esophagus which squeezes the bolus of food down. Air also moves near this area.
Where is the pharynx located in association with the nasal/oral cavities and the larynx?
It is posterior to the nasal/oral cavities and to the larynx
The only complete ring in the respiratory system
Cricoid cartilage
3 parts we divide the pharynx into.
Nasopharynx, Oropharynx, Laryngeal Pharynx
The retropharyngeal space is located between which two fascia?
Buccopharyngeal and Prevertebral. If something pierces your pharynx, infection can take this route down to the chest.
Which membrane do you cut for a tracheotomy?
Cricothyroid membrane
What muscles are responsible for squeezing the bolus of food through the esophagus?
The Superior, Middle and Inferior Constrictors. They overlap each other preventing food from prying between the muscles and squeeze the food making it smaller and smaller.
What innervates the Constrictor muscles?
CN X
What muscle is the buccinators attached to and how is it attached?
The superior constrictor via a Raphe’ (a tendonous band like what we see in the abdominals).
Function of the stylopharyngeus muscle
Elevates larynx and pharynx. Aids in swallowing.
What type of muscle and innervation is associated with the esophagus?
It has a mixture of smooth and striated muscle. It would be categorized as an SVE innervation.
Function of Mylohyoid
Forms floor of the mouth, and keeps tongue in place.
Function and innervation of the hyoglossus muscle?
Depresses tongue. Innervated by the hypoglossal nerve (CN XII)
What does the jugular vein become within the skull?
Sigmoid sinus (drains the blood in the skull)
Function of the superior laryngeal nerve
Splits into internal and external laryngeal nerves.
Internal: Pierces the thyrohyoid membrane and is sensory to everything in the larynx above the vocal cords.
External: Cricothyroid innervation (sensory and muscular)
What does the recurrent laryngeal nerve wrap around on the right side? The left side?
Right side= subclavian artery
Left side= Aorta
What nerve is described as a “stripe on a barbers pole” as it passes over the stylopharyngeus muscle?
The glossopharyngeal nerve
What canal does the hypoglossal nerve run through?
Hypoglossal canal
What muscle ending in “glossus” in the tongue does the hypoglossal nerve NOT innervate, and what innervates this muscle?
Palatoglossus
Innervated by CN X
Blood supply to pharynx
The External Carotid gives off the Superior Thyroid Artery, and that gives off a Superior Laryngeal Artery (travels with the internal laryngeal nerve).
Thyrocervical Trunk gives off the Inferior Thyroid Artery which gives off the Inferior Laryngeal Artery
What nerve does the Superior Laryngeal Artery travel with?
The internal laryngeal nerve
Function of hole in the thyrohyoid membrane
Insertion point for the internal laryngeal nerve
SALFORMS
Blood supply to the face:
Superior Thyroid Ascending Pharyngeal Lingual Facial Occipital posterior auRicular Maxillary Superficial Temporal
Area near cricoid cartilage where food can get stuck.
Piriform recess
Muscle which helps keep the Eustachian tube open during pressure changes
Salpingopharyngeus
What innervates Levator Veli Palatani?
CN X
