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
What separates the tongue into a posterior 1/3 and an anterior 2/3?
The Terminal Groove.
V-shaped line (point posterior towards root of tongue), separating tongue into the root (posterior 1/3) and the body (anterior 2/3)
Terminal Groove
What are on the surface of the root of the tongue?
Lingual tonsils
What are on the surface of the body of the tongue?
Taste buds (lingual papillae)
Taste buds are also known as what?
Lingual papillae
Indentation running down the midline of the body of the tongue.
Central sulcus
Deep to the central sulcus is a band of fibrous tissue called the…?
Lingual septum
Which two structures separate the body of the tongue into left and right halves?
- Central sulcus
* Lingual septum
The tongue is bounded laterally in its posterior region by which 3 structures?
- Anterior Faucial Pillar
- Palatine tonsils
- Posterior Faucial Pillar
Which muscle does the anterior faucial pillar contain?
The palatoglossal muscle
Why is the anterior faucial pillar also called the palatoglossal arch?
Because it contains the palatoglossal muscle.
Which muscle does the posterior faucial pillar contain?
The palatopharyngeal muscle.
Why is the posterior faucial pillar also called the palatopharyngeal arch?
Becauser it contains the palatopharyngeal muscle.
Where are the palatine tonsils located?
Embedded in the lateral walls of the oral cavity between the anterior and posterior faucial pillars.
What is attached to the root of the tongue.
The epiglottis.
Which group of muscles move the tongue as a whole structure?
The Extrinsic muscles
Which movements are facilitated by the extrinsic tongue muscles?
- protraction/retraction
- elevation/depression
- deviation
Name the EXTRINSIC muscles of the tongue:
- Genioglossus
- Hyoglossus
- Palatoglossus
- Styloglossus
How many major muscles attach to the styloid process? Name them.
3
- Stylopharyngeus (to thyroid cartilage, pharyngeal elevator)
- Stylohyoid (to Hyoid bone, elevates hyoid & larynx)
- Styloglossus (blends in with base of the tongue, elevates posterior tongue while swallowing, retracts tongue after protrusion).
Which extrinsic tongue muscle blends in with the base of the tongue and elevates the posterior tongue during swallowing?
Styloglossus
also retracts tongue
Muscle that attaches to both the hyoid bone and tongue.
Hyoglossus
Which movements is the hyoglossus a contributor in?
- Depression of tongue
* retraction of tongue
Which muscle attaches to both the mandible and tongue?
Genioglossus
This fan-shaped muscle allows you to poke your tongue out.
Genioglossus (also contributes to tongue depression)
The suprahyoid muscle located inferior to the genioglossus muscle.
Geniohyoid muscle.
One of the muscles that comprises the floor of the mouth, the geniohyoid muscle, has which extrinsic muscle of the tongue located superior to it?
Genioglossus
Extrinsic muscle of the tongue found inside the anterior faucial pillar.
Palatoglossus
helps elevate the tongue
The muscle found inside the anterior faucial pillar assists with which movement of the tongue?
Elevation
What do intrinsic tongue muscles do?
They alter the shape of the tongue.
Where are intrinsic tongue muscles located?
Within the body of the tongue.
What are some movements facilitated by the intrinsic muscles of the tongue?
- Curl the tip and sides of the tonuge
- make the tongue flatter and broader
- make the tongue narrower and thicker
How are the intrinsic muscles of the tongue named?
For the direction they run in.
Name the intrinsic muscles of the tongue.
- transverse muscle
- vertical muscle
- superior longitudinal muscle
- inferior longitudinal muscle
Which two intrinsic muscles of the tongue blend into one another within the main body of the tongue?
The transverse and vertical muscles.
Which muscles act as accessory tongue muscles?
The suprahyoid muscles
Which muscles comprise the floor of the mouth and provide support and attachment for the tongue and stabilise the hyoid bone during tongue actions when swallowing?
The suprahyoid muscles.
Which 3 of the 4 suprahyoid muscles are particularly important to the tongue?
- Geniohyoid
- Mylohyoid
- Digastric
Which suprahyoid muscle is least important in tongue actions and does not make a major contribution to the floor of the mouth but only really acts as a hyoid stabiliser during tongue movements?
Stylohyoid
Directly underneath the genioglossus are the 3 suprahyoid muscles that make up the floor of the mouth. From superior to inferior (in a stack), name them.
- Geniohyoid
- mylohyoid
- digastric
The band of tissue that connects the tongue to the floor of the mouth.
Lingual Frenulum
Failure of the lingual frenulum to recede causes what condition?
Ankyloglossia (tongue-tie)
In fetuses, which structure is a large band of tissue that anchors the tongue to the floor of the mouth and allows very little movement?
Lingual frenulum
Ankyloglossia can produce problems with….?
- Chewing
- swallowing
- articulation
What kind of nerve fibres supply the tongue?
- special sensory
- general sensory
- motor
All motor nerve supply to the tongue (both intrinsic and extrinsic muscles) is supplied by one nerve. Which one?
CNXII Hypoglossal Nerve
General and special sensory nerve supply comes from different nerves for the anterior 2/3 of the tongue, to the posterior 1/3 of the tongue. True or False?
True
The Anterior 2/3 of the tongue has branches of different nerves carrying General Sensory and Special Sensory Information. Which nerves, and which kind of sensory information do they carry?
General Sensory: CNV Trigeminal nerve
Special Sensory: CNVII Facial nerve
The posterior 1/3 of the tongue has BOTH general and special sensory information carried by one cranial nerve. Which one?
CNIX Glossopharyngeal nerve.
If we have facial nerve damage, we will lose the ability to sense taste in the anterior 2/3 of the tongue. But we will still be able to detect pressure, pain, temperature and movement in this area. Why?
Because General sensory information is carried from this area via CNV Trigeminal nerve.
If the facial nerve is damaged, how will this affect the tongue?
It looses sense of taste for the anterior 2/3 of tongue only. Otherwise unaffected.
If CNXII Hypoglossal nerve is damaged, how will this affect the tongue?
Paralysis of the whole tongue
If CNIX Glossopharyngeal nerve is damaged, how will this affect the tongue?
- Numbness to posterior 1/3
2. Loss of taste to posterior 1/3 of the tongue.
If CNV Trigeminal nerve is damaged, how will this affect the tongue?
numbness to all of the anterior 2/3 of the tongue.
Which artery supplies blood to the tongue?
Lingual artery
The Lingual artery branches off which artery?
The external carotid artery.
Where does the lingual artery branch off the external carotid artery?
Just below where the facial artery branches off.
Describe the path of the lingual artery.
Branches off the external carotid artery, travels deep to the hyoglossus muscle, then pops up under the tongue, supplying various branches to sublingual glands and muscles as it goes.
Deep lingual veins drain blood from the area supplied by the lingual artery, following a similar path back to the internal jugular vein. True or false?
True.
Why is the palate such an important structure in articulation and chewing?
It provides a point of fixation for the tongue.
The palate forms the roof of the ____ ____ and the floor of the ____ ____.
- oral cavity
2. nasal cavity
Name the two parts of the palate.
- Hard Palate (anterior)
2. Soft Palate (velum, posterior)
The Velum is also called the…..?
Soft palate.
Which two structures does the hard palate seperate?
Oral Cavity
FROM
Nasal Cavity
Which two structures does the velum separate?
Posterior Oral Cavity
FROM
Nasopharynx
What is the Velum made of?
Muscle and other soft tissues.
The hard palate is vaulted in which direction/s?
- Anterior to posterior
2. Side to side.
What is the palatal vault?
Curvature of the palate anterior to posterior and side to side. Also called palatal arch.
Palatal vault shape helps determine …?
Resonance and individual vocal characteristics.
The hard palate provides a solid, immovable fixation point for the tongue during which activities?
- Swallowing
- Articulation
- Chewing
Which bones form the hard palate?
- The Palatine bones (horizontal plates)
2. The Palatine processes of maxillae (ie, part of the maxilla)
On the Maxilla there are two plates forming the hard palate. What are these 2 plates called?
The Palatine Processes of the Maxilla.
Which part of the palate is formed by the Palatine processes of the Maxilla?
The anterior hard palate.
What forms the posterior part of the hard palate?
The Horizontal processes of the Palatine bones.
Which 2 surface features characterise the hard palate?
- Median Raphe (midline ridge)
2. Rugae (transverse ridges)
What is the name of the midline ridge that runs the length of the hard palate?
Median Raphe
What are the transverse ridges on the hard palate called?
Rugae
The fusion of the left and right sides of the palate during development creates which feature of the hard palate?
Median Raphe
Where are the rugae?
Running at right angles to the median raphe on the anterior part of the hard palate.
What do the rugae do?
Provide traction for the tongue when it is contact with the anterior part of the hard palate.
What is the velum comprised of?
Muscle and fibrous connective tissue overlaid by mucous membrane.
The velum is extremely mobile. True or false.
True - that’s why it contains a number of muscles.
The conical extension in the midline of the velum is called the…..?
uvula
What is the palatine aponeurosis?
Tough fibrous skeleton of connective tissue found inside the velum. Serves as attachment point for muscles.
What is the purpose of the palatine aponeurosis?
- Strength
* Muscle attachment
An extension of a tendon of the one of the soft palate muscles forms the palatine aponeurosis. Which muscle?
Tensor veli palatini
An extension of the tendon of tensor veli palatini forms which structure?
palatine aponeurosis
What is laterally continuous with the wall of the pharynx, and joined to the tongue by the palatoglossal and palatopharyngeal arches?
Velum
How does the velum contribute to changes in vocal characteristics during speech?
High mobility means it can change volume and shape of both nasal and oral cavities.
The velum can be elevated to block off the nasopharynx during swallowing. True or false?
True. Prevents food and liquids entering the nasopharynx and nasal cavity
Movement of which structure closes off the oral cavity when nose-breathing with the mouth open?
Velum
The velum is depressed. The uvula comes down to touch the tongue and inhaled air is prevented from escaping through your open mouth.
Depression of which structure prevents air inhaled through the nose from exiting through the open mouth.
Depression of the velum (incl. uvula)
How many muscles are in the soft palate?
5
Name the muscles of the velum.
- Tensor veli palatini (palatine aponeurosis)
- Levator veli palatini
- Palatoglossus
- Palatopharyngeus
- Uvular
Two functions of Tensor veli palatini.
- Tenses/hardens the velum
* Opens pharyngotympanic tube
What does Levator veli palatini do?
Elevates soft palate
What does palatoglossus do?
- Depresses soft palate
- Elevates posterior tongue
- forms Palatoglossal arch
What does the Uvular muscle do?
Shortens the uvular
What is an Aponeurosis?
A flat sheet formed by the tendon of one muscle that acts as an attatchment point for other muscles.
What forms an attachment point for most of the palatine muscles?
The Palatine aponeurosis (formed by the tendon of the tensor veli palatini
What spreads out as a flat sheet in the middle of the soft palate and serves as an attachment point for most of the other palatine muscles?
The tendon of the tensor veli palatine (the Palatine aponeurosis)
Where does the Levator veli palatini attach?
The temporal bone and part of the pharyngotympanic tube, and inferior to the fibrous skeleton of the soft palate.
Where does the Tensor veli palatini attach?
The pharyngotypmanic tube and the soft palate, where it forms the Palatine aponeurosis.
Almost all innervation of the soft palate is via the pharyngeal plexus, except for MOTOR supply for 1 muscle. Which muscle?
Tensor veli palatini
Where does the motor supply for the tensor veli palatini come from ?
CNV Trigeminal nerve
