Pterygopalatine Fossa and Plate Flashcards
What are other names for the tonsillar ring?
pharyngeal lymphatic ring, Waldeyer’s ring
Where is the pharyngeal lymphatic ring located?
superior pharynx
What four tonsil type make up the pharyngeal lymphatic ring?
Pharyngeal tonsils (adenoid) : palatine tonsils : tubal tonsils : lingual tonsils
Where are the pharyngeal tonsils located?
on the roof and posterior wall of the nasopharynx
When do the pharyngeal tonsils achieve maximum size?
age 5, then begin to atrophy
What arteries supply the pharyngeal tonsils?
Ascending pharyngeal a., ascending palatine a., pharyngeal brs. of maxillary a., artery of pterygoid canal, and tonsillar brs. of facial a.
what procedure may be performed in regards to the tonsils?
Adenoidectomy (pharyngeal) usually concurrently with a (palatine) tonsillectomy
Which tonsils are commonly referred to as “the” tonsils?
the palatine tonsils
What arteries supply the palatine tonsils?
tonsillar a., dorsal lingual brs., and branches from ascending pharyngeal a. (all associated with external carotid brs.)
What happens to the palatine tonsils later in life?
they atrophy with age. Typically there will be very little lymphoid tissue by the time you are at an advanced age
Where are the tubal tonsils found? What are they shaped like?
directly posterior to the pharyngotympanic tubes. Most variable in shape and appearance
Where do the lymphatics of the tonsillar region drain to?
the jugulodigastric node (tonsillar node - because gets inflamed when tonsils are inflamed) (also part of the superior deep cervical lymph nodes)
What are the components of the hard palate?
Palatine process, and horizontal plate
What covers the hard palate? What is included inside of it?
thick mucosa with some small salivary glands within
What nerves innervate the hard palate? What are they branches of?
it is afferently served by the greater palatine, and nasopalatine nn. (both of V2)
Where do the nerves that innervate the hard palate enter the hard palate?
the greater palatine foramen (greater palatine) and incisive foramen (nasopalatine)
What is the primary arterial supply of the hard palate?
the greater palatine a. (branch of the descending palatine a. > of 3rd part of maxillary)
What path does the greater palatine a. take to get to the hard palate?
it descends through the palatine canal, gives rise to the lesser palatine brs., and enters vis the greater palatine foramen.
Where is the greater palatine foramen?
next to the 2nd maxillary molars
What is the soft palate? Where is it?
a thick músculo-mucosal fold. it extends posteriorly from the hard palate to distinguish the nasopharynx and oropharynx.
What nerve innervates the soft palate? Where does it enter the area?
the lesser palatine n. : the lesser palatine foramen
What arteries supply the soft palate? How do they enter the area?
the lesser palatine aa. : the lesser palatine foramen
What is attached to the posterior border of the hard palate?
the palatine aponeurosis
What is the palatine aponeurosis?
a “widened tendon” of the tensor veli palatini m. that originates on the posterior border of the hard palate
What muscles have attachments to the palatine aponeurosis?
Levator veli palatini m, tensor veli palatini m., palatoglossus m., palatopharyngeus m., and musculus uvulae
What nerves innervate the muscles of the palatine aponeurosis?
Vagus n. (via pharyngeal plexus): Levator veli palatini, palatoglossus, palatopharyngeus, musculus uvulae — Mandibular n. (V3 nerve to tensor veli palatini): tensor veli palatini
Levator veli palatini origen and insertion:
Origen: Temporal bone, sphenoid bone, and pharyngotympanic tube — Insertion: Soft palate, and palatine aponeurosis
Tensor veli palatini origen and insertion:
Origen: Sphenoid bone and pharyngotympanic tube — Insertion: palatine bones, and palatine aponeurosis
Levator veli palatini action:
elevation of soft palate, contraction of posterior wall of pharynx
Tensor veli palatini action:
Tenses soft palate and slightly opens the pharyngotympanic tube
Palatoglossus origen and insertion:
Origen: palatine aponeurosis — Insertion: dorsum of tongue
Palatoglossus action:
elevates tongue (and closes oropharyngeal isthmus during deglutition)