The Nasopharynx Flashcards
What is the nasopharynx?
Lies above the soft palate
Which cuts it off from the rest of the pharynx during deglugition and therefore prevents regurgitiation of food through the nose
What bones form the roof of the nasopharynx?
Underside of the sphenoid bone
Basilar part of the occipital bone
What lies in the nasopharynx?
A collection of lymphoid tissue beneath the epithelium of the roof and posterior wall of the nasopharynx called the adenoids or pharayngeal tonsils
When is the adenoids prominent?
In the young as they may get inflamed and regress in adulthood
What is the eustachian tube?
Lies on the side wall of the nasopharynx level with the floor of the nse
The posteriro lip of this opening is prominent due to underlying cartilage and a muscle called the tenor veli palatini muscles
When are the nasopharyngeal tonils prominent?
In children but usually undergo atrophy after puberty
When chronically inflamed they may all but fill the nasopharynx, causing mouth breathing
What does the eustachian tube provide?
A ready pathway of sepsis from the pharynx to the middle ear and accounts for the frequency with which ototis media complicates infections of the throat
