Pharynx Flashcards
What structure marks the inferior border of the pharynx? What distinct change occurs here?
Cricoid Cartilage.
Longitudinal muscle becomes external to the circular muscle.
What cervical level does the oropharynx exist at?
C2-C3
Where do the constrictor muscles of the pharynx attach?
Median Pharyngeal Raphe
How is the pharynx connected with the base of the skull?
The pharynx is suspended from the pharyngeal tubercle on the base of the skull.
Where does superior constrictor originate from?
Pterygomandibular Raphe
Which constrictor of the pharynx originates from the hyoid bone? Which other structure does it originate from?
Middle.
Stylohyoid ligament
What is the origin of inferior pharyngeal constrictor?
Has 2 distinct parts.
Thyropharyngeus - thyroid cartilage
Cricopharyngeus - cricoid cartilage
What is the motor innervation of the constrictor muscles of the pharynx?
SVE fibres from CN X
What’s the association between the infratemporal fossa and the pharynx?
Superior constrictor of the pharynx lies deep to the pterygoid muscles and the infratemporal fossa.
What are the fascial linings in the pharynx?
Pharyngobasilar
Buccopharyngeal
Name the 3 longitudinal muscles of the pharynx. Where do they take their origins?
Stylopharyngeus - styloid process and enters pharynx between superior and middle constrictors
Salpingopharyngeus - medial cartilaginous part of auditory tube
Palatopharyngeus - palatial aponeurosis and Posterior Border of the hard palate.
What is the innervation of the longitudinal muscles of the pharynx?
CN X except stylopharyngeus which is CN IX
What is the sensory supply to the nasopharynx?
GSA from V2 and IX
What is the sensory supply to the oropharynx?
GSA fibres of IX
What is the sensory supply to the laryngopharynx?
GSA IX and GVA X
What nerve fibre type runs to the muscles of the pharynx?
SVE
Name the contributaries to the pharyngeal plexus
IX, X, Superior Cervical Ganglion
Name the arterial supply to the pharynx
Ascending pharyngeal Superior/ inferior thyroid Pharyngeal branches of facial Pharyngeal/ palatine branches of maxillary Branches of lingual artery
Where does lymphatic drainage of the pharynx go?
Retropharyngeal lymph nodes which in turn drain into deep cervical lymph nodes.
What is the clinical importance of the retropharyngeal space?
It allows a route from the head and neck down into the mediastinum which infection can track. In sever cases this may be descending necrotising mediastinitis.
Name the attachment of the muscles of the soft palate
Palatine aponeurosis
Describe tensor veli palatini including its innervation.
This muscle originates in the scaphoid fossa between the medial and lateral pterygoid plates and runs around the pterygoid hammulus to insert into the palatine aponeurosis laterally. It is innervated by the trigeminal nerve.
Describe levator veli palatini including its innervation.
This muscle is responsible for elevation of an already tensed palate and so this inserts into the base of the skull and runs inferiorly to insert onto the superior surface of the palatine aponeurosis. This is supplied by the vagus nerve.
How is sensory supply of the soft palate achieved?
Lesser palatine Nerves of V2 supply GSA fibres.
What is Zenker’s Diverticulum?
This is an outpouching of mucosa which occurs through a weakness between the 2 parts of the inferior pharyngeal constrictor.
