The Pharynx Flashcards
What are the 3 parts of the pharynx?
Nasopharynx
Oropharynx
Laryngopharynx
What is the main function of the nasopharynx?
Respiratory
What are the pharyngeal tonsils concentrations of?
Aggregated lymphoid tissue in the mucous membrane
What is the main function of the oropharynx?
Digestive function
What bounds the oropharynx superiorly?
The soft palate
Where does the tonsillar sinus sit?
Between the palatoglossal and palatopharyngeal arches
What does the laryngopharynx lie posterior to?
The larynx
What are the posterior and lateral walls of the laryngopharynx formed by?
Middle and inferior constrictor muscles
How is a bolus pushed from the mouth into the oropharynx?
Co-ordinated movements of muscles of the tongue and the soft palate
When the soft palate is elevated, what does it seal the nasopharynx off from?
The oropharynx and laryngopharynx
What does the pharynx do to receive the bolus of food?
Shortens and widens
When all 3 pharyngeal constrictor muscles sequentially contract, what happens to the food bolus?
It is forced inferiorly into the oesophagus
What is the outer muscular layer of the pharyngeal wall arranged into?
External circular layer
Internal longitudinal layer
What is the internal layer of the pharyngeal wall made of?
Palatopharyngeus
Stylopharyngeus
Salpingopharyngeus
What are all 3 constrictor muscles supplied by?
Pharyngeal plexus of nerves
