Pharynx

Question 1

What is the name of the recess located in the nasopharynx just lateral to the auditory tube? What is it’s importance?

Answer 1

pharyngeal recess (fossa of Rosen muller)
Patients can get malignancies at this site - risk of biopsy is internal carotid artery lies close by

Question 2

What tonsils are present in the nasopharynx?

Answer 2

Pharyngeal tonsils (adenoids)
Tubal tonsils in mucosa of tubal elevation

Question 3

What fold separates the oropharynx from the oral cavity? Which muscle is enclosed within this?

Answer 3

palatoglossal fold

palatoglossus m.

Question 4

Which tonsils are present in the oropharynx?

Answer 4

palatine tonsils ('the' tonsils)
lingual tonsil

Question 5

Which two places in the laryngopharynx are common for small objects to get stuck (eg fish bones)?

Answer 5

vallecula and piriform fossa

Question 6

What is the pterygomandibular raphe attached to?

Answer 6

Attaches from pterygoid hamulus to posterior of mylohyoid line.
Attached posteriorly is the superior constrictor m.
Attached anteriorly is the buccinator m.

Question 7

What is the name of the place where constrictors from each side meet in the midline?

Answer 7

pharyngeal raphe

Question 8

Which constrictor attaches to hyoid bone?

Answer 8

Middle constrictor m.

Question 9

Where does the inferior constrictor arise from?

Answer 9

thyroid and cricoid cartilage

Question 10

Which nerves supply the muscles of the pharynx?

Answer 10

All apart from one are supplied by the vagus n.

Stylopharyngeus m. is supplied by glossopharyngeal n.

Question 11

Describe the origin, insertion and action of the tensor veli palatini m. and what nerve supplies this.

Answer 11

Origin: base of skull (medial pterygoid plate)
Insertion: muscle gives way to tendinous fibres which wrap around pterygoid hamulus and insert into palatal aponeurosis
Action: tenses soft palate to aid levator veli palatini m. in elevating soft palate during swallowing (to prevent food entering nasopharynx)
Nerve: branch of CNV3

Question 12

Describe the origin, insertion and action of the levator veli palatini m. and which nerve supplies this.

Answer 12

Origin: temporal bone and auditory tube
Insertion: palatal aponeurosis
Action: elevates soft palate during swallowing to prevent food entering nasopharynx
Nerve: CNX

Question 13

What is the palatal aponeurosis?

Answer 13

fibrous bony skeleton of the soft palate

Question 14

Which nerves supply the tensor veli palatini, levator veli palatini, palatoglossus and palatopharyngeus m.?

Answer 14

Vagus n. -> levator veli palatini, palatoglossus, palatopharyngeus
branch of CNV3 -> tensor veli palatini