Session 8: Oral Cavity, Tongue & Pharynx Flashcards
Lateral walls of the oral cavity.
Buccinator
Roof of the oral cavity.
Hard and soft palate
Floor of the oral cavity.
Muscles like two mylohyoid, the tongue and other soft tissues.
Where does the oral cavity begin?
At the oral fissure
Where does the oral cavity end?
At the oropharyngeal isthmus
Explain what the oropharyngeal isthmus is.
An arch formed by the soft palate above and the upper surface of the tongue below.
The sides of the oropharyngeal isthmus are formed by the anterior and posterior pillars of the fauces.
What are the anterior and posterior pillars of the fauces formed by?
The palatoglossus (anterior) and the palatopharyngeal (posterior) muscles.
Action of the palatoglossus and the palatopharyngeal.
Pulls the soft palate down towards the back of the tongue during chewing. This is important for closing the oropharyngeal isthmus in order for food to remain in the oral cavity while chewing.
What lies between the pillars?
The tonsillar fossa
What can be found in the tonsillar fossa?
The palatine tonsils.
What are the classifications of muscles in the tongue?
Intrinsic muscles
Extrinsic muscles
Explain the action of the intrinsic muscles.
Found within the tongue and run longitudinally, vertically and transversely.
They alter the shape of the tongue.
What are the extrinsic muscles of the tongue?
Genioglossus
Hypoglossus
Styloglossus
Palatoglossus
Innervation of the extrinsic muscles of the tongue.
Genioglossus - Hypoglossal nerve
Hyoglossus - Hypoglossal nerve
Styloglossus - Hypoglossus nerve
Palatoglossus - Vagus nerve
Action of the extrinsic muscles of the tongue.
Protraction, retraction and side to side movement of the tongue.
Which muscle is the most important in the tongue, and why?
The genioglossus as its contraction causes protraction of the tongue and its action is therefore used to determine the hypoglossal nerve function. Patient should stick out their tongue.
Special sensory (taste) of the tongue.
Anterior 2/3rds by the facial nerve (Chordae tympani)
Posterior 1/3rd by the glossopharyngeal nerve
General sensation of the tongue.
Anterior 2/3rd by the trigeminal nerve Vc lingual branch
Posterior 1/3rd by the glossopharyngeal nerve
How can you test the vagus nerve by the tongue?
The patient is asked to open their mouth and say ‘ahhh’.
Upon this the uvula to see if there is any deviation to one side of the uvula.
Deviation of the uvula to one side will indicate weakness of the contralateral soft palate (opposite).
You can also test the gag reflex (afferent CN IX, efferent CN X)
Through what does the parotid gland’s saliva enter the oral cavity?
The stensen duct.
Through what does the submandibular gland’s saliva enter the oral cavity?
Wharton duct
What is sialolithiasis?
Salivary gland stones
Where can most sialolithiases be found?
In the submandibular glands
Signs and symptoms of sialolithiasis.
Dehydration and reduced salivary flow.
Pain in gland
Swelling
Infection
Increased pain on salivating and eating.
Most stones are less than 1cm in diamater.
Diagnosis of sialolithiasis.
History
X-ray
Sialogram
What is tonsillitis?
Inflammation of the palatine tonsils
Signs and symptoms of tonsillitis.
Fever
Sore throat
Pain and difficulty swallowing
Cervical lymph nodes
Bad breath
Uvula remains central and no deviation
Pathogens causing tonsillitis.
Viral causes (most common)
Less common is bacterial and due to Streptococcus pyogenes