Pharynx Funk

Question 1

General features of the Pharynx

Answer 1

a. A musculofascial tube serving resp and digest
b. Extends from base of skull to CV6, where it is continuous with esophagus
c. Connects oral and nasal cavities to larynx, for passage of air to and from lungs
d. Connects oral cavity to esophagus for passage of food/liquids to the stomach

Question 2

Divisions of the pharynx

Answer 2

1. Nasopharynx - post to nasal cavity
2. Oropharynx - post to oral cavity
3. Laryngopharynx - post to larynx

Question 3

Communicates with 7 cavities

Answer 3

1. Nasal cavities (2) via choanae
2. Tympanic cavities (2) via auditory (pharyngotympanic; Eustachian) tube
3. Oral cavity
4. Larynx
5. Esophagus

Question 4

Pharyngeal recess in nasopharynx

Answer 4

Located on posterior superior wall of nasopharynx

Question 5

Pharyngeal tonsil in Nasopharynx

Answer 5

a. Located within pharyngeal recess
b. Adenoids - enlarged, inflamed pharyngeal tonsils. Enlarged tonsils can obstruct nasopharynx, making breathing difficult. Infection can also spread to tubal tonsils; blocking the auditory tube and impairing hearing. Infections can also spread to middle ear (causing otitis media) via the auditory tube

Question 6

Tubal tonsil in Nasopharynx

Answer 6

a. Lymphoid tissue

b. Located near opening of auditory tube

Question 7

Torus tubaris in Nasopharynx

Answer 7

a. Mucosal prominence formed by cartilage of auditory tube

b. Pharyngeal ostium below torus tubaris represents opening of auditory tube

Question 8

Salpingopharyngeal fold in Nasopharynx

Answer 8

a. Fold of mucosa overlying salpingopharyngeus muscle
b. Salpingopharyngeus muscle
1. Origin - cartilage of auditory tube
2. Insertion - thryoid cartilage
3. Innervation - vagus nerve
4. Function - assists other pharyngeal mm during swallowing

Question 9

Levator pad in Nasopharynx

Answer 9

a. Located below torus tubarius

b. Fold of mucosa overlying levator veli palatini muscle

Question 10

Oropharynx

Answer 10

a. Portion of pharynx posterior to oral cavity
b. Fauces = passageway from mouth to oropharynx
c. Faucial pillars = palatoglossal and palatopharyngeal folds

Question 11

Oropharynx: Palatoglossal arch

Answer 11

a. Fold of mucosa overlying palatoglossus muscle
b. Palatoglossus muscle
1. Origin - soft palate
2. Insertion - thyroid cartilage
3. Innervation - vagus n
4. Function - swallowing

Question 12

Oropharynx: Tonsillar bed/fossa

Answer 12

a. Depression between palatoglossal and palatopharyngeal folds
b. Structures forming tonsillar bed
1. Superior constrictor
2. Hyoglossus
3. Middle constrictor

Question 13

Oropharynx: Palatine tonsil

Answer 13

a. Lymphoid tissue

b. Lies within tonsillar bed

Question 14

Oropharynx: Epiglottic valleculae

Answer 14

a. Depressions (2) between epiglottis and posterior tongue

b. Formed by lateral and median glossoepiglottic folds

Question 15

Laryngopharynx

Answer 15

a. Laryngeal inlet - anterior communication with larynx
b. Piriform recess
1. Depression lateral to larynx
2. Internal laryngeal nerves runs deep to mucosa of the piriform recess
c. Narrows inferiorly to become continuous with esophagus
d. Clinical Correlation: Swallowed/inspired objects can sometimes lodge in the epiglottic valleculae or piriform recesses. If an object pierces the mucosa of piriform recess it can potentially damage the internal laryngeal nerve

Question 16

Pharyngobasilar fascia

Answer 16

a. Internal

b. Lines muscles of pharynx

Question 17

Buccopharyngeal fascia

Answer 17

a. External

b. Covers muscles of pharynx

Question 18

Superior constrictor

Answer 18

a. Circularly oriented muscle forming superior portion of pharynx
b. Attaches to base of skull
c. Innervation - vagus n via pharyngeal plexus
d. Function - swallowing

Question 19

Middle constrictor

Answer 19

a. Circularly oriented muscle forming middle portion of pharynx
b. Attaches to hyoid bone
c. Innervation - vagus n via pharyngeal plexus
d. Function - swallowing

Question 20

Inferior constrictor

Answer 20

a. Circularly oriented muscle forming inferior portion of pharynx
b. Attaches to thyroid and cricoid cartilages
c. Innervation - vagus n via pharyngeal plexus
d. Function - swallowing

Question 21

Stylopharyngeus

Answer 21

a. Origin - styloid process
b. Insertion - thyroid cartilage
c. Innervation - CN IX
d. Function - swallowing

Question 22

Salpingopharyngeus

Answer 22

a. Origin - cartilage of auditory tube
b. Insertion - thyroid cartilage
c. Innervation - CN X
d. Function - swallowing

Question 23

Palatopharyngeus

Answer 23

a. Origin - hard and soft palate
b. Insertion - thyroid cartilage
c. Innervation - CN X
d. Function - swallowing

Question 24

Gaps in Pharyngeal Wall

Answer 24

The overlapping pharyngeal constrictor muscles leave gaps in wall of pharynx; these gaps allow for passage of structures to and from the pharynx

Question 25

Gap 1

Answer 25

a. Between base of skull and superior constrictor

b. Allows for passage of levator veli palatini and auditory tube

Question 26

Gap 2

Answer 26

a. Between superior and middle constrictors

b. Allows for passage of stylopharyngeus and glossopharyngeal n

Question 27

Gap 3

Answer 27

a. Between middle and inferior constrictor

b. Allows for passage of internal laryngeal nerve and superior laryngeal artery

Question 28

Gap 4

Answer 28

a. Between inferior constrictor muscle and esophagus

b. Allows for passage of inferior (recurrent laryngeal nerve and artery

Question 29

Vascular supply to the Pharynx

Answer 29

a. Arteries
1. Superior thyroid artery
2. Ascending pharyngeal artery
b. Veins
1. Pharyngeal plexus of veins
2. Drain to internal jugular vein

Question 30

Pharyngeal nerve plexus

Answer 30

a. SVE
1. Vagus n
2. Except stylopharyngeus - CN IX
b. GVA - CN IX
c. Sympathetic fibers - directly from cervical sympathetic chain
d. Gag reflex (pharyngeal reflex)
1. Afferent - CN IX
2. Efferent - CN VII
3. Protective response to prevent foreign objects from passing deeper into pharynx or larynx. Stimulated by touching root of tongue, oropharynx.