Pharynx Flashcards
The pharynx extends from what level superiorly to where inferiorly?
from the base of the skull to the level of cervical vertebra 6 where the esophagus begins
What are the sections of the pharynx?
nasopharynx, the oropharynx and the laryngopharynx
Which part of the pharynx do air passages and food passages cross?
the oropharynx
The nasopharynx extends from what levels in the body?
from the base of the skull to the level of the palate
Does the nasopharynx have any food related function?
No, just respiratory
Superiorly, the posterior wall of the oropharynx attaches to what?
Superiorly, the posterior wall of the nasopharynx abuts against the occipital bone where it attaches to the pharyngeal tubercle
What tonsils line the upper aspect of the nasopharynx?
the pharyngeal tonsils, an important part of the immune system’s early warning system.
Swelling of this tonsil (adenoids) can make passage of air through the nasopharynx difficult
The entrances from the the nasal cavities into the pharynx are called what?
the choanae, the two oval openings to either side of the nasal septum
Access to the nasopharynx and nasal cavity from the oropharynx can be closed off by action of what?
tensors and elevators of the palate and the palatopharyngeal sphincter of the superior constrictor
What is the torus tubarius?
an elevation where the mucosa covers the cartilaginous portion of the auditory tube that penetrates the pharynx.
What vertical fold of mucosa extends inferiorly from the posterior border of the torus tubarius?
salpingopharyngeal fold
What muscle does the salpingopharyngeal fold cover?
it overlies the salpingopharyngeus muscle
What is a main function of the salpingopharyngeus muscle?
to pull on the cartilage of the auditory tube, which allows the auditory tube to open and equalize the pressure on both sides of the ear drum. This occurs naturally during swallowing.
The oropharynx extends from what levels in the body?
from the palate to the level of the hyoid bone and the upper limit of the epiglottis, which are at a similar level
Which tonsils can be found at the function of the oral cavity and the oropharynx?
the palatine tonsils
The inferior continuation of the salingopharyngeal folds of the nasopharynx is called what?
the palatopharyngeus folds, (covers the palatopharyngeus muscle)
What spans between the palatopharyngeal fold and the epiglottis?
the pharyngoepiglottic fold
What muscle attaches to the superior border of the thyroid cartilage just deep to the pharyngoepiglottic mucosal fold?
The stylopharyngeus muscle attaches to the superior border of the thyroid cartilage just deep to this mucosal fold.
What tonsils can be found in the salpingopharyngeal folds?
the tubular tonsils
Which tonsils line posterior margin of the nasopharynx at the cavity
the lingual tonsils (flanked on the lateral sides by the palatine tonsils)
What is the the cricopharyngeous?
the lower portion of the inferior constrictor that attaches to the cricoid cartilage.
What is the function of the cricopharyngeous?
The cricopharyngeous serves as the upper esophageal sphincter.
What muscle originates exterior to the superior and middle pharyngeal constrictor muscles but pierces through them to insert internally?
the stylopharyngeous m.
What is the role of the longitudinal muscles (salpingopharyngeous, stylopharyngeous, and palatopharyngeous)?
they help to raise the larynx and wall of the pharynx during swallowing.
What are the posterior layers surround the pharynx from most internal to most external?
mucosa, pharyngobasilar fascia (submucosa), the circular muscles (and in some places the longitudinal muscles), and the buccopharyngeal fascia