Pharynx Flashcards
Where does the pharynx begin and end?
Base of skull
Proximal oesophagus
What forms the anterior, posterior and lower borders of the nasopharynx?
Anterior: choanae
Posterior: Body of C1 vertebra (and superior part of C2)
Lower: Soft palate
When is the nasopharynx closed off from the rest of the pharynx?
What controls this movement?
During swallowing when the soft palate contracts to close the gap.
Controlled by:
-Tensor veli palatini (Stretches soft palate)
-Levator veli palatini (elevates soft palate)
Where does the oropharynx begin and end?
Palatal arches to lower border of epiglottis
What does the pharynx connect?
Nasal and oral cavities with larynx and oesophagus
What muscle stretches the soft palate and elevates the pharynx?
Tensor veli palatini
What muscle elevates the soft palate and elevates the larynx?
Levator veli palatini
What do the tensor and levator veli palatini muscles do to the auditory tube? What is the purpose of this?
Assists with drainage from the middle ear
Equalises pressure between the middle ear and nasopharynx
What is the sensory innervation of the pharynx?
Nasopharynx: CNVb and IX
Oropharynx: CNIX
Laryngopharynx: CNIX and X
(CNIX supplies respiratory mucosa)
What is the epiglottis?
What is its role?
Cartilage of the larynx
Covers laryngeal inlet during swallowing to prevent aspiration
Where does the laryngopharynx begin and end?
Base of tongue/upper epiglottis to cricopharyngeus muscle
Which muscle has to relax in order to allow a food bolus to pass through the laryngopharynx into the oesophagus?
Cricopharyngeus
What epithelium lines the nasopharynx?
Respiratory epithelium: pseudostratified, ciliated, columnar
What epithelium lines the oropharynx and laryngopharynx?
Stratified squamous epithelium
Resists abrasion
What are the 3 pharyngeal constrictor muscles?
Superior constrictor
Middle constrictor
Inferior constrictor
What is considered the true upper oesophageal constrictor?
Cricopharyngeus muscle
What fills gaps between the pharyngeal constrictor muscles on the lateral and anterior portions?
Continuous internal fascia and mucosa lines all 3 pharyngeal constrictor muscles