pharynx and larynx anatomy Flashcards
What are the three regions of the pharynx?
- nasopharynx
- oropharynx
- laryngopharynx
What two tracts join into the pharynx?
respiratory and alimentary tracts
Where does the pharynx start and end?
cranial base to oesophagus
Where does the nasopharynx start and end?
cranial base and soft palate (post to nasal cavity)
Where are the pharyngeal tonsils located?
roof of nasopharynx
What does the eustachian/pharyngotympanic tube connect?
nasopharynx to middle ear
Where is the oropharynx located?
between soft palate and upper epiglottis (posterior to oral cavity)
What tonsils are located in the oropharynx?
Palatine
Where is the laryngopharynx located?
- post to larynx
- tip to epiglottis to oesophagus at level C6
What are the piriform fossa’s?
part of larynx bulges into laryngopharynx (site that foreign objects often get lodged)
What are the three pharyngeal constrictor muscles?
1) superior pharyngeal constrictor
2) middle pharyngeal constrictor
3) inferior pharyngeal constrictor
What nerve innervates the pharyngeal muscles?
pharyngeal plexus and pharyngeal branches of vagus
N.B except stylopharyngeal which is innervated by glossopharyngeal
Where is the larynx located?
between oropharynx and trachea (anterior of the neck)
How many cartilages make up larynx?
9 (3 paired and 3 unpaired)
What are the laryngeal cartilages?
Unpaired - thyroid - cricoid - epiglottis Paired - arytenoid - corniculate - cuneiform
What bone is superior to the thyroid cartilage?
hyoid (connected via the thyrohyoid membrane)
Describe structure of the cricoid?
arched on anterior side
flat Lamina on post side
How does the cricoid attach to thyroid and trachea?
median cricothyroid ligament attachment to thyroid
cricotracheal ligament to trachea
What is the function of the epiglottis
seals off the trachea during swallowing to prevent aspiration
What connects the epiglottis to the arytenoid cartilages?
quadrangular membrane
What are the functions of the larynx?
voice production
protection of air passages
Where is the laryngeal cavity located?
laryngeal inlet and inferior border of cricoid cartilage
What makes up the laryngeal cavity?
laryngeal vestibule
middle region of cavity
laryngeal ventricle
infraglottic cavity
What two things do each vocal fold contain?
vocal ligament and vocalis muscle
What is the function of the vocal folds?
control sound production and prevent choking by closing off the larynx
What is the rima glottidis?
opening between vocal folds and the arytenoid cartilages of the larynx
changes shape based on position of vocal folds (opens as air is expelled)
What is the rima glottidis?
- opening between vocal folds and the arytenoid cartilages of the larynx
- changes shape based on position of vocal folds (opens as air is expelled, closed during phonation)
What are the muscles of the larynx?
cricothyroid muscle thyro-arytenoid vocalis posterior crico-arytenoid lateral cricoid-arytenoid transverse arytenoid oblique arytenoid
What nerve innervates the cricoid-thyroid muscle?
external laryngeal
What nerve innervates the majority of the laryngeal muscles?
inferior laryngeal nerve (continuation of recurrent laryngeal)
Describe the structure of the thyroid cartilage?
- composed of two laminae which fuse anteriorly to form laryngeal prominence (Adams apple)
- each lamina has a superior and inferior horn
- also contains superior thyroid notch superior to laryngeal prominence
What is the location of the epiglottis?
post to root of tongue and hyoid
anterior to inlet of larynx
What makes up the lower border of the quadrangular membrane?
Vestibular ligament which is covered by mucosa to form the vestibular fold
What makes up the upper border of the quadrangular membrane?
ary-epiglottic ligament which is covered by mucosa to form ary-epiglottic fold
What cartilages are fund in region of Ary-epiglottic fold?
corniculate and cuneiform
What is the function of the cricothyroid muscle?
stretches and tenses vocal ligaments
What is the function of the thyroid-arytenoid muscles?
relaxes vocal ligaments
What is the function of the vocalis muscles?
relaxes posterior region of vocal ligaments whilst maintaining tension on anterior region
What is the function of the crico-arytenoid muscles?
abducts vocal folds
What is the function of the lateral cricoid-arytenoid muscles?
adduct vocal folds
What is the function of the transverse and oblique arytenoid muscles?
close off the posterior region of rima glottidis
