Pharynx, tongue, palate - Topic 5 Flashcards
How many regions does the pharynx have, and what are they called?
- The nasopharynx, the oropharynx and the laryngopharynx.
What is the region posterior to the nasal cavity called?
The nasopharynx
How is the nasopharynx used by the respiratory system?
To transmit air between the nasal cavity and the oropharynx.
What are the two holes through which air passes from the nasal cavity to the nasopharynx?
The nasal choanae.
Adenoids are also called…?
pharyngeal tonsils.
Where are the Adenoids (pharyngeal tonsils)?
Embedded in the roof and posterior wall of the nasopharynx.
What is the auditory tube also called?
The pharyngotympanic tube.
Where is the pharyngotypmpanic tube and what does it do?
In the wall of the nasopharynx. It connects the nasopharynx with the middle ear and controls its opening to equalise air pressue in the middle ear. (Our ears ‘pop’).
Which part of the pharynx is especially important in swallowing?
The oropharynx.
Which part/s of the pharynx is/are shared by the respiratory and digestive systems?
The oropharynx and the laryngopharynx.
Where is the oropharynx located?
Between the soft palate and the base of the tongue.
Which structure is the point at which the oral cavity opens into the oropharynx?
The posterior faucial pillars.
What are the palatopharyngeal arches also known as?
The posterior faucial pillars.
Is the nasopharynx shared between the respiratory and digestive systems?
No, it is part of the respiratory system only.
Name the most inferior region of the pharynx.
The laryngopharynx.
Name the superior opening of the larynx.
The aditus.
What runs from the base of the tongue to the oesophagus, posterior to the aditus (superior opening of the larynx)?
The laryngopharynx.
From the laryngopharynx, air passes into the larynx while food passes into the oesophagus. Which of the cartilages of the larynx directs food and air into these different tubes?
The epiglottis.
What is attached to the base of the tongue?
The epiglottis.
When we swallow the tongue pushes ______, forcing the epiglottis ______ which causes the epiglottis to cover the ______.
- The tongue pushes superiorly.
- Forcing the epiglottis posteriorly.
- The epiglottis covers the larynx.
When the epiglottis covers the larynx, swallowed substances are forced to pass only into the _____.
Oesophagus.
The walls of the pharynx are almost entirely composed of what?
Muscle.
How long is the pharynx?
about 12cm
Does the pharyx move a lot?
Yes, it is highly mobile and made mostly of muscles.
The pharynx’ ability to change shape assists in articulation? True or false?
True. The pharynx’ ability to change shape can alter the sounds produced in the larynx during phonation. .
The pharynx’ mobility is extremely important in what two functions?
- Deglutition (swallowing)
2. Articulation (of sounds).
Which two major movements occur in the pharynx?
- Constriction (during swallowing).
2. Elevation
Are there any muscles that depress the pharynx? if so, which ones?
NO!
How is the pharynx depressed?
It is not. After elevation the muscles just relax and the pharynx returns to its normal position.
Pharyngeal constrictor muscles work in a highly coordinated manner during swallowing. Describe this in general terms.
Wavelike constrictions of the pharynx force food inferiorly and ultimately into the oesophagus.
Pharyngeal constrictor muscles work in a highly coordinated manner during swallowing. Describe this in general terms.
Wavelike constrictions of the pharynx force swallowed substances inferiorly and ultimately into the oesophagus.
The whole pharynx is pulled superiorly (elevated) during swallowing, but not articulation. True or false?
False. The whole pharynx is elevated during BOTH swallowing and articulation.
The muscles responsible for pharyngeal movement make up the lateral and posterior walls of the pharynx and are found in ______ layers.
2
Constrictor muscles make up which layer or pharyngeal muscles?
The external (superficial, [outermost]) layer.
What orientation do constrictors have in the pharynx?
Circular.
When constrictors in the pharynx contract, they make the ______ of the pharynx narrower.
Lumen.
How many muscles are responsible for constricting the pharynx, and what are their names?
3.
- Superior constrictor
- Middle constrictor
- Inferior constrictor
The innermost (internal, deep) layer of pharyngeal muscles are responsible for what movement?
Elevation.
What is the orientation of the Elevator muscles in the pharynx?
Longitudinal.
What happens when the elevator muscles in the pharynx contract?
The pull the whole pharynx upwards.
How many muscles comprise the pharyngeal elevators, and what are their names?
3.
- Stylopharyngeus
- Palatopharyngeus
- Salpingopharyngeus
This pharyngeal muscle is also known as the posterior faucial pillar.
Palatopharyngeus (aka palatopharyngeal arch/posterior faucial pillar)
Which muscle is the boundary between the oral cavity and the oropharynx?
The palatopharyngeus (aka palatopharyngeal arch or posterior faucial pillar)
This muscle runs from the soft palate to the pharynx, forming part of the oropharynx wall and attaching to the thyroid cartilage.
Palatopharyngeus
aka…..
This pharyngeal elevator muscle runs from the styloid process to the thyroid cartilage.
Stylopharyngeus
This muscle’s fibres blend with the fibres of the palatopharyngeus.
Stylopharyngeus.
This pharyngeal elevator is one of the major muscles that connects to the pharyngotympanic tube.
Salpingopharyngeus
This muscles blends inferiorly with the muscle fibres of the palatopharyngeus.
salpingopharyngeus
One of the major muscles (pharyngeal elevator) that connects to the Eustachian tube.
Salpingopharyngeus.
The Eustachian tube is also known as the….?
Auditory tube OR pharyngotympanic tube.
What two major functions does the Salpingopharyngeus have?
- Elevating the pharynx.
2. Opening the pharyngotympanic tube. (Eustachian / auditory tube)
What happens when the pharyngotympanic tube is opened?
Allows air pressure to equalise in the middle ear.
The salpingopharyngeus and a couple of the palatine muscles work together to do what?
Open the pharyngotympanic tube.
When yawning / holding your nose and trying to exhale through it, what happens to make your ears ‘pop’?
The Eustachian tube is opened, equalising middle ear pressure.
This elevator is attached superiorly to the styloid process, then runs inferiorly between the superior and middle constrictors, passing deep into the pharynx where it ultimately attaches to the thyroid cartilage.
Stylopharyngeus
This muscle not only elevates the pharynx, it can also pull down on the pharyngotympanic tube, opening it. It can also help elevate the palate by pulling on the pharynx.
Salpingopharyngeus
This muscle runs from the soft palate superiorly, forms the posterior faucial pillar and then arches inferiorly to blend in with the salpingopharyngeus.
palatopharyngeus
Innervation of the pharynx comes from branches of Cranial Nerves IX (glossopharyngeal nerve), X (Vagus nerve) and XI (Accessory Nerve). Only one of these nerves gives rise to the branch which provides sensory fibres to the pharynx. Which one?
CNIX (glossopharyngeal nerve)
Which two cranial nerves give rise to branches that supply motor nerve fibres to the pharynx?
- CNX (Vagus nerve)
* CNXI (Accessory nerve)
Branches from which Cranial Nerves form a network called the pharyngeal plexus?
- CNIX (Glossopharyngeal Nerve)
- CNX (Vagus Nerve)
- CNXI (Accessory Nerve)
All of the sensory fibres found in the pharyngeal plexus travel (eventually) to which nerve?
CNIX (glossopharyngeal nerve).
The MOTOR innervation of the stylopharyngeal muscle is different from innervation (sensory and motor) of other pharyngeal muscles. Why?
Motor innervation of the stylopharyngeal nerve comes from a seperate branch of CNIX (glossopharyngeal nerve), which DOES NOT form a part of the pharyngeal plexus.
Branches of the glossopharyngeal nerve (CNIX) supply only sensory fibres to the muscles and mucosa of the pharynx. True or false?
False. CNIX Glossopharyngeal nerve branches that form PART OF THE PHARYNGEAL PLEXUS only provide sensory fibres, but the stylopharyngeus is supplied with MOTOR fibres by a branch of CNIX Glossopharyngeal nerve which is NON-pharyngeal plexus.
A highly mobile, muscular organ, partly located in both the oral cavity and oropharynx.
The tongue.
List 5 functions of the tongue.
- mastication
- deglutition
- articulation
- special sense organ (taste)
- oral cleansing
The upper surface of the tongue.
Dorsum
The underside of the tongue.
Inferior surface.
The tip of the tongue.
Apex