Pharynx and Larynx Flashcards
Lips
Description:
• Fleshy folds (upper and lower) surrounding mouth
• Upper lip has philtrum (midline vertical groove)
Function:
• Regulate entrance to digestive and respiratory systems
• Important in mastication (chewing)
• Important in sound production
Comment:
• Contain orbicularis oris muscle
Brain
Description:
• Major organ of central nervous system (CNS)
• Composed of neurons and glia
Comment:
• Considered the seat of consciousness, intelligence, learning, emotion, and memory
Nasal septum with mucosa
Location:
• Nasal cavity (midline)
Description:
• Midline structure formed by perpendicular plate of ethmoid, vomer, and nasal septal cartilage
Comment:
• Commonly deviated from midline, impacting airflow
Nasopharynx
Location:
• Between nasal cavity and oropharynx
• Superior to soft palate
Description: • Muscular tube • Subdivision of pharynx • Contains openings of auditory (Eustachian) tubes and pharyngeal tonsil • Part of respiratory tract
Function:
• Muscular contractions aid movement of food bolus toward esophagus
• Immune function (palatine and lingual tonsils trap foreign material and facilitate identification by lymphocytes)
Comment:
• Pharyngeal tonsil known as “adenoids” when infected or inflamed
Atlas
Location:
• Between occipital bone and axis (C2 vertebra)
Description:
• Ring-shaped vertebra
• Characteristic features include transverse foramen
• Lacks vertebral body, spinous process, or lamina
Also known as:
• C1 vertebra
Comment:
• Articulates with skull (occipital bone)
• No intervertebral disk between C1 vertebra and occipital bone
Soft palate
Location:
• Separates oropharynx from nasopharynx
Description:
• Posterior, muscular part of palate covered by thick mucosa
• Has posterior midline extension (uvula)
Comment:
• Elevation prevents food from entering nasopharynx during swallowing
Pharynx
Description:
• Muscular tube continuous with nasal cavity, oral cavity, and larynx
• Three subdivisions: nasopharynx, oropharynx, and laryngopharynx
Comment:
• Nasopharynx: part of respiratory tract
• Oropharynx: part of respiratory and digestive tracts
• Laryngopharynx: part of digestive tract
• Latin: pharynx = throat
Oropharynx
- Posterior to oral cavity
- Inferior to soft palate
- Between nasopharynx (superiorly) and laryngopharynx (inferiorly)
Description: • Muscular tube • Subdivision of pharynx • Contains palatine and lingual tonsils • Part of digestive and respiratory tracts
Function:
• Peristaltic contractions move food bolus toward esophagus
• Immune function (palatine and lingual tonsils trap foreign material and facilitate identification by lymphocytes)
Epiglottis
Location:
• Anterior and superior to laryngeal inlet
Description:
• Unpaired, leaf-shaped, elastic cartilage
• Covered by mucosa
• Attached at midline to internal aspect of thyroid cartilage
Comment:
• Closes over laryngeal inlet when swallowing
Laryngopharynx
Location:
• Posterior to larynx
• Between oropharynx (superiorly) and esophagus (inferiorly)
Description:
• Muscular tube
• Subdivision of pharynx
• Part of digestive tract
Function:
• Peristaltic contractions (swallowing) move food bolus toward esophagus
Larynx
Location:
• Between pharynx and trachea
Description: • Skeleton formed by nine cartilages • Contains vocal cords • Mucous membrane-lined cavity • Superior end of lower respiratory tract
Function:
• Conducts air to and from lower respiratory tract
• Sound production (“voice box”)
• Prevents swallowed food from entering lower respiratory tract
Comment:
• Laryngeal cartilages include: paired arytenoid, corniculate, and cuneiform cartilages, and unpaired thyroid, cricoid, and epiglottic cartilages
Esophagus
Location:
• Cervical part: neck (inferior)
• Thoracic part: thorax (posterior mediastinum)
• Abdominal part: abdomen (left upper quadrant)
Description:
• Muscular tube that passes through diaphragm (esophageal hiatus)
• Superior third: striated muscle
• Middle third: striated and smooth muscle
• Inferior third: smooth muscle
Function:
• Conveys food from pharynx to stomach
• Peristaltic (wave-like) contractions during swallowing
Comment:
• “Heartburn” (reflux esophagitis) results from regurgitation of stomach contents
Trachea
Location:
• Thoracic cavity (mediastinum)
• Between larynx and tracheal bifurcation
Description:
• Rigid tube held open by a series of “C-shaped” cartilaginous rings (open end of rings directed posteriorly)
• Cartilaginous rings connected by anular ligaments of trachea
• Posterior aspect of tracheal rings closed by fibroelastic trachealis muscle
Also known as:
• “Windpipe”
Comment:
• Tracheotomy is surgical procedure to open trachea in neck to bypass an airway obstruction
Tongue
Description:
• Muscular organ with thick mucous membrane
• Mucous membrane contains taste buds
• Intrinsic muscles alter shape; extrinsic muscles move tongue
• Dense concentration of papillae gives dorsal surface “felt-like” appearance
• Divided by V-shaped sulcus terminalis into anterior (oral) part and posterior (pharyngeal) part
• Anterior part has median furrow
• Posterior part is nodular due to presence of lingual tonsils
• Lingual frenulum connects tongue to floor of mouth
Function:
• Mastication (chewing), deglutition (swallowing), phonation (production of speech sounds)
Comment:
• Extrinsic muscles: genioglossus, hyoglossus, palatoglossus, and styloglossus
• Latin: papilla = nipple
Mandible
Description:
• U-shaped bone
• Each side consists of body (horizontal) and ramus (vertical) with coronoid and condylar processes
• Mental protuberance forms point of chin
• Contains alveoli (“sockets”) for teeth
Also known as:
• “Lower jaw”
Comment:
• Contributes to temporomandibular joint (TMJ)
