pharynx Flashcards
what is the pharnyx?
muscular tube that links the nose, mouth and throat
what is the function of the pharynx?
conducts air, muscles direct food to oesophagus
what are the 3 parts of the pharynx?
nasopharynx, oropharynx and laryngopahrynx
what is the function of the nasopharynx?
respiratory
in which part of the pharynx is the opening of the auditory tube?
nasopharynx
what part of the pharynx is the lacrimal duct?
nasopharynx
is there communication between eyes and nose?
yes
what are tonsils?
collections of inflammatory tissue, 1st line of defence
which 2 tonsils are in the nasopharynx?
tubul and pharyngeal (adenoids)
what is the function of the oropharynx?
digestion
what is the superior part of the oropharynx?
soft tissue
what is the inferior part of the oropharynx?
base of tongue, epiglottis
what is the function of the epiglottis and what is it made of?
flap that prevents food entering the wind pipe, elastic cartilage
what is the name of the closser arch in the oropharynx?
palatoglossal
what is the name of the further away arch in the oropharynx?
palatopharyngeal
which tonsils are found in the oropharynx?
palatine
what is the collective name for the 3 sets of tonsils?
waldeyers ring
what is the superior part of the laryngopharynx?
epiglottis
what is the inferior part of the laryngopharynx?
cricoid cartilage
what is the piriform fossa?
a danger zone for choking, it has limited space and swells when food particles get stuck
which part of the pharynx is the piriform fossa in?
laryngopharynx
what are the 3 muscles in the pharynx?
superior constrictor, middle constrictor and inferior constrictor
what is the name of the only bone in the body not connected to another bone?
hyoid bone
which motor nerves supply the pharynx?
CN X (vagus nerve)
which sensory nerve supplies the pharynx?
CN 9 (glossopharyngeal)
what is the name for the collection of nerves 9 and 10?
pharyngeal plexus
name 2 infections associated with the pharynx?
tonsilitis and middle ear infection
what occurs during the oral phase of swallowing?
food is moved posteriorly
some food can pass onto pharyngeal tongue surface
liquid remains in front pillars of mouth
what occurs during the pharyngeal phase of swallowing?
oropharynx to laryngopharynx soft palate raises depression of epiglottis contraction of vocal folds relaxation of upper oesophageal spinchter
what occurs during the oesophageal phase of swallowing?
peristalsis
where is the pharyngeal plexus?
surface of the middle pharyngeal constrictor muscle
which vessels are closely related to the pharynx?
common carotid artery and internal jugular veins
how does the muscular arrangement of the pharyngeal muscles differ from the rest of the G.I tract?
outer circular and inner longitudinal
what is the role of the pharyngeal constrictors?
contraction of pharynx
what happens if the nerve supply to the pharyngeal constrictors is damaged?
inability for food to pass down sufficiently
what are the anatomical boundaries of the nasopharynx?
base of skull to upper surface of soft palate
what is the auditory tube called and what dopes it connect?
eustachian tube - connects middle ear to nasopharynx
which lymphoid tissues are closely related to the opening of the eustachian tube?
tubul and pharyngeal tonsils
why is the auditory tube a problematic site in children?
shorter and straighter allowing easier access for infection
where is in the GIT is the opening of the eustachian tube?
nasopharynx
where is in the GIT is the lacrimal gland?
nasopharynx
where is in the GIT are the tubule tonsils?
nasopharynx
where is in the GIT are the pharyngeal/adenoid tonsils?
nasopharynx
where is in the GIT is the epiglottis?
oropharynx
where is in the GIT are the palatine tonsils?
oropharynx
where is in the GIT is the cricoid cartilage?
in the laryngopharynx below the thyroid cartilage
where is in the GIT is the piriform fossa?
laryngopharynx
