Pharynx

Question 1

What is the pharynx?

Answer 1

a muscular tube that connects the nasal cavities to the larynx and oesophagus

Question 2

What is the pharynx common to?

Answer 2

both gastrointestinal and respiratory tracts

Question 3

Where does the pharynx begin?

Answer 3

at the base of the skull

Question 4

Where does the pharynx end?

Answer 4

inferiorly to the cricoid cartilage (C6)

Question 5

What is the pharynx comprised of? (superior to inferior)

Answer 5

nasopharynx, oropharynx, laryngopharynx

Question 6

what types of muscles form the wall of the pharynx?

Answer 6

longitudinal and circular

Question 7

what are the longitudinal and circular muscles on the walls of the pharynx innervated by?

Answer 7

vagus nerve, expect for the stylopharyngeus

Question 8

what is the stylopharyngeus innervated by?

Answer 8

glossopharyngeal nerve

Question 9

What is the function of the circular muscles?

Answer 9

contact sequentially from superior to inferior to constrict the lumen and propel the bolus of food inferiorly into the oesophagus

Question 10

how are the circular muscles arranged?

Answer 10

They are stacked like glasses and are an incomplete muscular circle

Question 11

what do the circular muscles attach to anteriorly?

Answer 11

structures in the neck

Question 12

what are the circular muscles innervated by?

Answer 12

They are all innervated by the vagus nerve (CN X)

Question 13

where is the superior pharyngeal constrictor found?

Answer 13

found in the oropharynx

Question 14

where is the middle pharyngeal constrictor found?

Answer 14

in the laryngopharynx

Question 15

where is the inferior pharyngeal constrictor found?

Answer 15

in the laryngopharynx

Question 16

how many components does the laryngopharynx have?

Answer 16

2:
superior component (thyropharyngeus)
inferior component (circopharyngeus)

Question 17

what does the superior component (thyropharyngeus) contain?

Answer 17

has oblique fibres that attach to the thyroid cartilage

Question 18

what does the inferior component (cricopharyngeus) contain?

Answer 18

has horizontal fibres that attach to the cricoid cartilage

Question 19

how do the longitudinal muscles act and what is their function?

Answer 19

The longitudinal muscles shorten and widen the pharynx, and elevate the larynx during swallowing

Question 20

what are the longitudinal muscles of the pharynx?

Answer 20

Stylopharyngeus
Palatopharyngeus
Salpingopharyngeus

Question 21

where does the stylopharyngeus originate and attach?

Answer 21

from the styloid process of the temporal bone to the pharynx

Question 22

what is the stylopharyngeus innervated by?

Answer 22

innervated by the glossopharyngeal nerve (CN IX - 9th cranial nerve)

Question 23

where the palatopharyngeus originate and attach?

Answer 23

from hard palate of the oral cavity to the pharynx

Question 24

what is the palatopharyngeus innervated by?

Answer 24

vagus nerve (CN X)

Question 25

where is the salpingopharyngeus muscle found?

Answer 25

from the Eustachian tube to the pharynx, innervated by the vagus nerve (CN X)

Question 26

what is the salpingopharyngeus muscle innervated by?

Answer 26

vagus nerve (CN X)

Question 27

what is the function of the salpingopharyngeus muscle?

Answer 27

In addition to contributing to swallowing, it also opens the Eustachian tube to equalize the pressure in the middle ear with the atmosphere

Question 28

what is the majority of the innervation of the pharynx via?

Answer 28

by the pharyngeal plexus

Question 29

what does the pharyngeal plexus comprise of?

Answer 29

Branches of the glossopharyngeal nerve (CN IX) Branches of the vagus nerve (CN X) Sympathetic fibres of the superior cervical ganglion

Question 30

what is the sensory innervation to the pharynx?

Answer 30

Each of the three sections of the pharynx have a different innervation

Question 31

what is the sensory innervation to the nasopharynx?

Answer 31

innervated by the maxillary nerve (CN V2)

Question 32

what is the sensory innervation to the oropharynx by?

Answer 32

the glossopharyngeal nerve (CN IX)

Question 33

what is the sensory innervation to the laryngopharynx via?

Answer 33

vagus nerve (CN X)

Question 34

what is the motor innervation to the muscles of the pharynx?

Answer 34

All the muscles of the pharynx are innervated by the vagus nerve (CN X), except for the stylopharyngeus, which is innervated by the glossopharyngeal nerve (CN IX)