Pharynx

Question 1

Between what 2 levels does the pharynx run?

Answer 1

Base of the skull to the level of C6

Question 2

What are the 3 regions of the pharynx?

Answer 2

1. Nasopharynx
2. Oropharynx
3. Laryngopharynx

Question 3

What opens into the nasopharynx?

Answer 3

Posterior apertures (choanae) of nasal cavity

Question 4

What opens into the oropharynx?

Answer 4

Posterior opening of the oral cavity (oropharyngeal isthmus)

Question 5

What opens into the laryngopharynx?

Answer 5

Superior aperture of the larynx (laryngeal inlet)

Question 6

What 2 things form the pharyngeal wall?

Answer 6

1. Skeletal muscles

2. Fascia

Question 7

What are 2 groups of muscle which are found in the pharynx?

Answer 7

1. Constrictor muscles

2. Longitudinal muscles

Question 8

What is the major difference between constrictor and longitudinal muscles of the pharynx?

Answer 8

Constrictor muscles have fibres orientated in a circular direction whereas longitudinal muscle fibres are orientated vertically

Question 9

Give 3 examples of constrictor muscles

Answer 9

1. Superior constrictor
2. Middle constrictor
3. Inferior constrictor

Question 10

What is the posterior insertion of the 3 constrictor muscles?

Answer 10

Pharyngeal raphe

Question 11

What are the 3 origins of the superior constrictor muscle?

Answer 11

1. Pterygoid hamulus
2. Pterygomandibular raphe
3. Adjacent bone of the mandible

Question 12

What is the pterygoid hamulus?

Answer 12

Tip of the medial pterygoid plate

Question 13

What are the 2 origins of the middle constrictor muscle?

Answer 13

1. Stylohyoid ligament

2. Lesser and greater horn of the hyoid

Question 14

What are the 2 origins of the inferior constrictor muscle?

Answer 14

1. Oblique line of the thyroid cartilage

2. Cricoid cartilage

Question 15

What are the 3 longitudinal muscles of the pharynx?

Answer 15

1. Stylopharyngeus
2. Salpingopharyngeus
3. Palatopharyngeus

Question 16

What is the origin of the stylopharyngeus?

Answer 16

Styloid process of temporal bone

Question 17

What is the origin of the salpingopharyngeus?

Answer 17

Cartilaginous part of the pharyngotympanic tube

Question 18

What is the origin of the palatopharyngeus?

Answer 18

Soft palate

Question 19

What is the location of the nasopharynx?

Answer 19

Lies above the soft palate and behind the nasal cavities

Question 20

What is the pharyngeal isthmus?

Answer 20

Opening between naso and oropharynx

Question 21

What are 5 things found on the lateral wall of the nasopharynx?

Answer 21

1. Opening of auditory tube
2. Elevated ridge
3. Pharyngeal recess
4. Salpingopharyngeal fold
5. Pharyngeal tonsil

Question 22

What is the enlargement of the pharyngeal tonsil called?

Answer 22

Adenoids

Question 23

Where is the oropharynx located?

Answer 23

Posterior to oral cavity, inferior to level of soft palate and superior to upper margin of epiglottis

Question 24

What 2 things form the floor of the oropharynx?

Answer 24

1. Posterior 1/3 of the tongue

2. Interval between tongue and epiglottis

Question 25

What is 3 things are found on the lateral wall of the oropharynx?

Answer 25

1. Palatoglossal arches covering palatoglossal muscles 2. Palatine tonsils 3. Palatopharyngeal folds covering palatopharyngeus muscles

Question 26

What 2 folds are found in the midline of the oropharynx?

Answer 26

1. Median glossoepiglottic fold | 2. Lateral glossoepiglottic fold

Question 27

What is the depression on either side of the median glossoepiglottic fold called?

Answer 27

Valleculla

Question 28

What is the arterial supply of the palatine tonsil?

Answer 28

Tonsillar branch of facial artery

Question 29

Where is the laryngopharynx found?

Answer 29

Extends from superior margin of epiglottis to oesophagus at level of C6

Question 30

Where does the laryngeal inlet open to?

Answer 30

Anterior wall of laryngopharynx

Question 31

What is found between the central part of the larynx and lamina of thyroid cartilage?

Answer 31

Piriform fossae (mucosal recesses)

Question 32

What is the function of piriform fossae?

Answer 32

Form channels which direct solids and liquids from oral cavity to oesophagus

Question 33

What is the sensory nerve supply of the nasopharynx?

Answer 33

Maxillary branch of CN V

Question 34

What is the sensory nerve supply of the oropharynx?

Answer 34

CN IX

Question 35

What is the sensory nerve supply of the laryngopharynx?

Answer 35

Internal laryngeal branch of CN X

Question 36

What is the motor supply of the larynx?

Answer 36

Pharyngeal plexus bar stylopharyngeus which is supplied by CN IX

Question 37

What 3 cranial nerves form the pharyngeal plexus?

Answer 37

1. CN IX 2. CN X 3. Cranial part of CN XI

Question 38

Describe the flow of food once sit has been swallowed

Answer 38

1. Oropharyngeal isthmus opened 2. Palate is elevated 3. Palatopharyngeal sphincter contracts 4. Pharyngeal isthmus is closed and separation of nasopharynx from oropharynx

Question 39

What is tonsillectomy?

Answer 39

Removal of the tonsils

Question 40

What vein lies laterally to the palatine tonsils?

Answer 40

External palatine vein

Question 41

What causes adenoids?

Answer 41

Excessive hypertrophy of lymphoid tissue, usually caused by infection

Question 42

What can occur due to the close relationship of adenoids and auditory tube?

Answer 42

Recurrent otitis media