Pharynx and Larynx Flashcards
Pharynx
“U-shaped” musculomembranous structure located posterior to nasal cavity, oral cavity and larynx
Extends from base of skull –> C6
Pharynx joins nasal and oral cavities to
larynx and esophagus
Nasopharynx
pathway for air
Oropharynx
pathway for air and food/liquids
Air passes from..
oropharynx –> larynx –> trachea –> primary bronchi –> lungs
Food/liquid passes from oropharynx –>
laryngopharynx (pathway for food only), continuous with esophagus
Nasopharynx
continuous with nasal cavity
Extends from base of skull -> soft palate (marked by palatoglossal arch)
Torus tuberous (lateral)
- opening of pharyngo-tympanic tube (auditory tube)
- communication between nasopharynx and middle ear cavity
- salpingopharyngeus and elevator veil palatine assist in opening pharyngotympanic tube
Pharyngeal recess
posterior to torus tuberous; location of pharyngeal tonsils (enlargement - adenoids may interfere with nasal breathing)
Oropharynx
posterior to oral cavity
Extends from soft palate (palatoglossal arch) to superior border of epiglottis (c3)
Laryngopharynx
posterior to larynx
-Extends from superior border of epiglottis (C3) to inferior border of cricoid cartilage (C6)
communicates with larynx via laryngeal inlet on its anterior wall
Pharynx muscles Types
Circular and longitudinally oriented SKELETAL muscle
circular: superior, middle, inferior pharyngeal costrictors
longitudinal directed muscles: stylopharyngeus, palatopharyngeus, salpingopharyngeus
Superior pharyngeal constrictor
Attachments:
pharyngeal tubercle and pharyngeal raphe (posterior) –> pterygoid hamulus, pterygomandibular raphe and mandible
Innervation: CN-X via pharyngeal plexus
Middle pharyngeal constrictor
Attachments: pharyngeal raphe (posterior) –> stylohyoid ligament and hyoid bone
Innervation: CNX via pharyngeal plexus
Inferior pharyngeal constrictor
Attachments: pharyngeal raphe (posterior) –> thyroid cartilage and cricoid cartilage
Innervation: CNX via pharyngeal plexus, recurrent laryngeal n and external laryngeal nerve
Action of all 3 pharyngeal constrictors
Constricts wall of pharynx during swallowing
Superior to superior constrictor opening
Passage of pharyngotympanic tube, levator veli palatini and ascending palatine a (Branch of facial a)
Opening between superior and middle constrictors
passage of stylopharyngeus and CN 9
Opening between middle and inferior constrictors
passage of internal laryngeal nerve and superior laryngeal vessels
Inferior to inferior constrictor
passage of recurrent laryngeal nerve and inferior laryngeal artery (branch of inferior thyroid a)
Stylopharyngeus
Attachment: styloid process –> muscular wall of pharynx and thyroid cartilage
Innervation: CN-9
Palatopharyngeus
Attachments: posterior hard palate and palatine aponeurosis –> muscular wall of pharynx and thyroid cartilage
Innervation: CNX via pharyngeal plexus
Salpingopharyngeus
Attachment: cartilaginous part pharyngotympanic tube –> muscular wall of pharynx
Innervation: CNX via pharyngeal plexus
action of 3 longitudinal pharyngeal muscles
Elevate and WIDEN pharynx during swallowing
Noncontractile membranes/fascia of pharynx
non-contractile tissue “seals off” spaces so air, liquid and food do not “leak” from pharynx
- fascia lines internal and external surface of pharyngeal muscles