Pharynx Flashcards
where does the pharynx extend from
base of the skull to the oesophagus
what lines the nasopharynx
same as rest of nasal cavity - delicate respiratory epithelia (ciliated columnar epithelium)
the pharynx except for the nasopharynx is lined with what
stratified squamous epithelium - same as the oesophagus
why is the rest of the pharynx lined with stratified squamous epithelium
to compensate for the abrasion of the wall from passing food
where does the pharynx join the oesophagus
C6
the strong muscular layer of the oesophagus is for what
push food from the oral cavity into the oesophagus
the fibrous layer of the pharynx under the epithelium connects to what
base of skull and into submucous coat of the oesophagus
describe the structure of the muscular pharynx layer
almost circular constrictor muscles and longitudinal muscles
the upper end of the pharynx is what shape
funnel
what are the 3 divisions of the pharynx
nasopharynx
oropharynx
larnygopharynx
where is the nasopharynx
posterior to the nasal cavities above the soft palate
where is the oropharynx
posterior to the mouth between the soft palate and upper border of epiglottis
where is the laryngopharynx
passes posterior to the larynx to blend with the oesophagus
what is contained in the lateral wall of the nasopharynx
auditory tube
the cartilage in the walls of the auditory tube allow attachment for what
tensor and levator palatini
salpingopharyngeus
what is salpinopharyngeus
longitudinal muscle of the phraynx
what forms the roof of the nasopharynx
sphenoid, occipital and pharyngeal tonsil
what forms the floor of the nasopharynx
soft palate - pharyngeal isthmus
what forms the anterior boundary of the nasopharynx
nasal passages
what forms the posterior boundary of the nasopharynx
roof (sphenoid, occipital and pharyngeal tonsil) and C1 level
what forms the lateral walls of the nasopharynx
auditory tube, salpingopharyngeal fold
what does the auditory tube do
communicates with the middle ear and allows air to pass between the pharynx and middle ear to equalise pressure either side of tympanic membrane so the membrane can move freely in response to sound waves
what forms the roof of the oropharynx
soft palate
what forms the floor of the oropharynx
posterior 1/3 tongue
lingual tonsil
glossoepiglottic folds
what forms the anterior boundary of the oropharynx
mouth
what forms the posterior border of the oropharynx
C2/3 level
what forms the lateral border of the oropharynx
palatoglossal and palatopharyngeal folds with palatine tonsil
where does the palatine tonsil sit
between the palatoglossal (anterior) and palatopharyngeal (posterior) folds
what muscles form the arches at the back of the mouth
palatoglossus and palatopharyngeus
what forms the anterior boundary of the laryngopharynx
larynx
what forms the posterior boundary of the laryngopharynx
C3-6
what forms the lateral wall of the laryngopharynx
supported by thyroid cartilage
aryepiglottic fold
thyrohyoid membrane
there are _ constrictor muscles within the pharynx
3
there are _ parts of each constrictor muscle
2
which constrictor muscle of the pharynx contributes to the nasopharynx and oropharynx
superior constrictor
the right and left side of the superior constrictor meet where
posterior midline in a fibrous join called a raphe
what are the attachments of the superior constrictor
lower part (posterior) medial pterygoid plate, hamulus, pterygomandibular ligament, mandible, side of tongue --> pharyngeal tubercle of occipital bone, fibrous raphe and middle constrictor
what is the function of the superior constrictor
upper fibres - pull posterior pharyngeal wall anteriorly to close off nasopharynx
propel food to middle constrictor
what is the innervation of the superior constrictor
pharyngeal plexus
the pterygomandibular ligament provides attachment for what 2 muscles
buccinator anteriorly
superior constrictor posteriorly
how does the pterygomandibular ligament effectively close off the oral cavity
connection between the lateral wall (buccinator) and the oropharynx
how does the superior constrictor prevent food passing towards the nose
raises the pharyngeal wall and pulls it forwards towards the nasal cavities
the constrictors are all supplied by what
vagus nerve running in the pharyngeal plexus
what are the attachments of the middle constrictor
lower part of stylohyoid ligament to the greater and lesser cornua of the hyoid bone
—> to raphe but also blend with superior and inferior constrictor
what is the function of the middle constrictor
propel food towards inferior constrictor
what is the innervation of the middle constrictor
pharyngeal plexus (vagus nerve)
the middle constrictor contributes to the wall of what
oropharynx
what are the attachments of the inferior constrictor
lamina of thyroid cartilage and cricoid cartilage
–> to raphe and blend with middle constrictor and oesophagus
what is the function of the inferior constrictor
propel food to oesophagus
what is the innervation of the inferior constrictor
pharyngeal plexus (vagus nerve)
what are the 2 parts of the inferior constrictor
thyropharyngeus and cricopharyngeus
what muscle fibres is thyropharyngeus
muscle fibres of inferior constrictor that pass onto the midline
what muscle fibres are cricopharyngeus
more circular fibres of the inferior constrictor
what is the function of the cricopharyngeus
acts as a sphincter that prevents air passing into the oesophagus
what is different about the innervation of cricopharyngeus
all of the constrictor muscles receive innervation from the vagus nerve as it forms the pharyngeal plexus but cricopharyngeus is innervated by a diferent branch; external laryngeal nerve