Pharynx

Question 1

What structure marks the inferior border of the pharynx? What distinct change occurs here?

Answer 1

Cricoid Cartilage.

Longitudinal muscle becomes external to the circular muscle.

Question 2

What cervical level does the oropharynx exist at?

Answer 2

C2-C3

Question 3

Where do the constrictor muscles of the pharynx attach?

Answer 3

Median Pharyngeal Raphe

Question 4

How is the pharynx connected with the base of the skull?

Answer 4

The pharynx is suspended from the pharyngeal tubercle on the base of the skull.

Question 5

Where does superior constrictor originate from?

Answer 5

Pterygomandibular Raphe

Question 6

Which constrictor of the pharynx originates from the hyoid bone? Which other structure does it originate from?

Answer 6

Middle.

Stylohyoid ligament

Question 7

What is the origin of inferior pharyngeal constrictor?

Answer 7

Has 2 distinct parts.
Thyropharyngeus - thyroid cartilage
Cricopharyngeus - cricoid cartilage

Question 8

What is the motor innervation of the constrictor muscles of the pharynx?

Answer 8

SVE fibres from CN X

Question 9

What’s the association between the infratemporal fossa and the pharynx?

Answer 9

Superior constrictor of the pharynx lies deep to the pterygoid muscles and the infratemporal fossa.

Question 10

What are the fascial linings in the pharynx?

Answer 10

Pharyngobasilar

Buccopharyngeal

Question 11

Name the 3 longitudinal muscles of the pharynx. Where do they take their origins?

Answer 11

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.

Question 12

What is the innervation of the longitudinal muscles of the pharynx?

Answer 12

CN X except stylopharyngeus which is CN IX

Question 13

What is the sensory supply to the nasopharynx?

Answer 13

GSA from V2 and IX

Question 14

What is the sensory supply to the oropharynx?

Answer 14

GSA fibres of IX

Question 15

What is the sensory supply to the laryngopharynx?

Answer 15

GSA IX and GVA X

Question 16

What nerve fibre type runs to the muscles of the pharynx?

Answer 16

SVE

Question 17

Name the contributaries to the pharyngeal plexus

Answer 17

IX, X, Superior Cervical Ganglion

Question 18

Name the arterial supply to the pharynx

Answer 18

Ascending pharyngeal
Superior/ inferior thyroid
Pharyngeal branches of facial
Pharyngeal/ palatine branches of maxillary
Branches of lingual artery

Question 19

Where does lymphatic drainage of the pharynx go?

Answer 19

Retropharyngeal lymph nodes which in turn drain into deep cervical lymph nodes.

Question 20

What is the clinical importance of the retropharyngeal space?

Answer 20

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.

Question 21

Name the attachment of the muscles of the soft palate

Answer 21

Palatine aponeurosis

Question 22

Describe tensor veli palatini including its innervation.

Answer 22

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.

Question 23

Describe levator veli palatini including its innervation.

Answer 23

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.

Question 24

How is sensory supply of the soft palate achieved?

Answer 24

Lesser palatine Nerves of V2 supply GSA fibres.

Question 25

What is Zenker’s Diverticulum?

Answer 25

This is an outpouching of mucosa which occurs through a weakness between the 2 parts of the inferior pharyngeal constrictor.