The Pharynx

Question 1

Pharynx is the chamber where _______ and ______ cross.

Answer 1

respiratory + digestive tracts

Question 2

What is the main function of the pharynx?

Answer 2

deglutition (swallowing)

Question 3

(T/F) The pharynx is a tubular organ with tunics of a typical tubular organ.

Answer 3

True

Question 4

The lumen of the pharynx is called:

Answer 4

pharyngeal cavity

Question 5

List the 3 parts of the pharyngeal cavity.

Answer 5

1. oropharynx
2. nasopharynx
3. laryngopharynx

Question 6

Which part of the pharyngeal cavity passes liquids/food into the esophagus?

Answer 6

oropharynx

Question 7

What are the boundaries of the oropharynx? (rostral, caudal, above, below)

Answer 7

rostral: palatoglossal arch
caudal: epiglottis
above: soft palate
below: root of tongue

Question 8

What two structures are found in the oropharynx?

Answer 8

tonsil of soft palate (horse)
palatine tonsil

Question 9

What is different about the palatine tonsil in ruminants?

Answer 9

inside tonsillar sinus (not directly visible)

Question 10

What are the boundaries of the nasopharynx? (rostral, dorsal, ventral, caudal)

Answer 10

choana (rostral & dorsal)
palatopharyngeal arches (ventral)
pharyngeal wall (dorsal & caudal)
soft palate (rostral & ventral)

Question 11

Term for opening between caudal end of nasal cavity and nasopharynx.

Answer 11

choana

Question 12

What is the highest part of the nasopharynx where mucosa folds called?

Answer 12

fornix

Question 13

What tonsil is present in the nasopharynx of horses and pigs? Which two ostia?

Answer 13

pharyngeal tonsil
intrapharyngeal ostium & ostium of auditory tube

Question 14

Which structures form the intrapharyngeal ostium of the nasopharynx?

Answer 14

caudal edge of soft palate + both palatopharyngeal arches

Question 15

The intrapharyngeal ostium is where the ________ communicates with _________.

Answer 15

nasopharynx
laryngopharynx

Question 16

In the pig, the nasopharynx is very narrow but it has an extra out-pocketing called:

Answer 16

pharyngeal diverticulum

Question 17

What is the clinical significance of the pharyngeal diverticulum of the pig?

Answer 17

can use “balling gun” to insert oral meds
if too forceful –> fatal infection

Question 18

The ox has a caudal extension of the nasal septum called ________ where the pharyngeal tonsil lies.

Answer 18

pharyngeal septum

Question 19

The laryngopharynx begins at _________ and extends to ________.

Answer 19

palatopharyngeal arches
cricoid cartilage

Question 20

The laryngopharynx continues as the ________.

Answer 20

esophagus

Question 21

What are the dorsal and ventral borders of the laryngopharynx?

Answer 21

pharyngeal wall = dorsal
larynx (ventral)

Question 22

The muscles of the pharynx consist of 5 ________ muscles and 1 _______ muscle.

Answer 22

constrictor
dilator

Question 23

What are the muscles of the pharynx responsible for when they contract?

Answer 23

swallowing (must act synchronously)

Question 24

What are the 2 rostral pharyngeal constrictor Mm?

Answer 24

palatopharyngeus M
pterygopharyngeus M

Question 25

The palatopharyngeus M is from the soft palate to the _________ and the pterygopharyngeus M is from the pterygoid bone to the ________.

Answer 25

pharyngeal raphe

Question 26

Which muscle of the pharynx is the middle pharyngeal constrictor M?

Answer 26

hyopharyngeus M

Question 27

The hyopharyngeus M is from the ______ to the _______.

Answer 27

thyrohyoid bone –> pharyngeal raphe

Question 28

What are the 2 caudal pharyngeal constrictor Mm?

Answer 28

1. thyropharyngeus M
2. cricopharyngeus M

Question 29

What is the only muscle that dilates the pharynx?

Answer 29

stylopharyngeus M

Question 30

All pharyngeal constrictor Mm are innervated by what?

Answer 30

pharyngeal branches of glossopharyngeal & vagus Nn

Question 31

The stylopharyngeus M originates at _______ and fans out in the ________.

Answer 31

stylohyoid bone
pharyngeal wall

Question 32

Problems with the pharynx, especially the muscles, result in ________ while ______ may be normal.

Answer 32

dysphagia (difficulty swallowing)
prehension (chewing)