The pharynx

Question 1

What are the anterior and posterior borders of the nasopharynx?

Answer 1

Nasal choanae to C1

Question 2

Which muscle stretches the soft palate?

Answer 2

Tensor veli palatini

Question 3

Which muscle lifts the soft palate?

Answer 3

Levator veli palatini

Question 4

What are the anterior and posterior borders of the oropharynx?

Answer 4

Palatal arches to C2/3

Question 5

What are the superior and inferior borders of the oropharynx?

Answer 5

Soft palate to base of tongue

Question 6

What are the anterior and posterior borders of the laryngopharynx?

Answer 6

Larynx to C3-4/5/6

Question 7

What are the superior and inferior borders of the laryngopharynx?

Answer 7

Base of tongue to cricopharyngeus muscle

Question 8

What does the cricopharyngeus muscle form?

Answer 8

Upper oesophageal sphincter

Question 9

Describe the innervation of the nasopharynx.

Answer 9

CN Vb + CN IX

Question 10

Describe the innervation of the oropharynx.

Answer 10

CN IX

Question 11

Describe the innervation of the laryngopharynx.

Answer 11

CN IX + X

Question 12

Name the 3 pharyngeal constrictor muscles.

Answer 12

Superior, middle, and inferior pharyngeal constrictors

Question 13

What is the motor innervation of the pharyngeal constrictor muscles?

Answer 13

CN X

Question 14

The middle pharyngeal constrictor attaches to which bone and ligament?

Answer 14

Hyoid bone and stylohyoid ligament

Question 15

The superior pharyngeal constrictor muscle attaches to which connective tissue band?

Answer 15

Pterygomandibular raphe

Question 16

Describe a pathology which might affect the stylohyoid ligament and associated symptoms.

Answer 16

Eagle syndrome – elongated stylohyoid ligaments can cause painful swallowing, or trouble swallowing (dysphagia), and the sensation of something being stuck in the throat

Question 17

The pharyngeal constrictor muscles are all connected posteriorly by what?

Answer 17

Midline raphe

Question 18

In what location would a Zenker’s diverticulum occur and why in this area?

Answer 18

The weak spot at the junction between the inferior constrictor and the cricopharyngeus muscle as there is a change in the direction of muscle fibres

Question 19

What is the piriform fossa and what is its function?

Answer 19

A recess between the larynx and lateral thyroid cartilage which serves as a conduit for food and liquids, guiding them around the sides of the larynx and toward the oesophagus and thus minimising the risk of aspiration

Question 20

Where in the throat is a common place for foreign objects such as food particles to get stuck?

Answer 20

Piriform fossa

Question 21

What is the location of the vallecula?

Answer 21

Anterior to the epiglottis and posterior to the base of the tongue

Question 22

How could the vallecula be utilised clinically?

Answer 22

The blade of a laryngoscope can be placed in the vallecula to pull the tongue forwards if a tracheal intubation is needed

Question 23

Which 5 muscles help to elevate/shorten & widen the pharynx?

Answer 23

Tensor veli palatini

Levator veli palatini

Salpingopharyngeus

Stylopharyngeus

Palatopharyngeus

Question 24

Which pharyngeal muscle is the only one to be innervated by CN IX?

Answer 24

Stylopharyngeus

Question 25

Which 2 muscles are found at the entrance to the oropharynx?

Answer 25

Palatopharyngeus + palatoglossus

Question 26

List the 4 types of lymphoid tissue found in Waldeyer’s ring.

Answer 26

Adenoids (pharyngeal tonsils)

Palatine tonsils

Lingual tonsils

Tubal tonsils