The pharynx

Question 1

What are the 4 layers of the wall of the pharynx?

Answer 1

Areolar coat, muscular coat, submucosa and mucosa

Question 2

What are the circular muscles of the exterior pharynx?

Answer 2

Superior, middle and inferior constrictor

Question 3

What are the attachments of the superior constrictor?

Answer 3

From the pterygomandibular raphe and fans out posteriorly to the pharyngeal raphe and the pharyngeal tubercle

Question 4

What muscle shares it origin with superior constrictor?

Answer 4

Buccinator

Question 5

What are the attachments of the middle constrictor?

Answer 5

From the greater and lesser horns of the hyoid and the inferior portion of the stylohyoid ligament. Fans out posteriorly to the pharyngeal raphe and overlaps the superior constrictor

Question 6

What are the attachments of the inferior constrictor?

Answer 6

From the lateral aspect of thyroid and cricoid cartilages, fans out posteriorly to the pharyngeal raphe. Inferior part known as the cricopharynxgeus, superior part known as the thryopharyngeus

Question 7

What are the longitudinal muscles of the exterior pharynx?

Answer 7

Palatopharyngeus and stylopharyngeus

Question 8

What are the attachments of the palatopharyngeus?

Answer 8

From the aponeurosis of the soft palate and inserts into the pharynx and posterior aspect of the hyoid

Question 9

What are the attachments of the stylopharyngeus?

Answer 9

From the medial aspect go the styloid process and enters the pharynx

Question 10

What is the function of the constrictor muscles?

Answer 10

Constrict

Question 11

What is the function of the longitudinal muscles?

Answer 11

Lengthen

Question 12

What is the motor supply for the constrictor muscles?

Answer 12

Pharyngeal plexus via the vagus nerve

Question 13

What is the motor supply for the longitudinal muscles?

Answer 13

Palatapharyngeus supplied by vagus

Stylopharyngeus supplied by glossopharyngeal

Question 14

How is the interior pharynx split?

Answer 14

Nasopharynx, oropharynx and laryngopharynx

Question 15

What are the contents of the nasopharynx?

Answer 15

Opening of the auditory tube
Salpingopharyngeal fold
Pharyngeal recess
Pharyngeal tonsil/adenoids

Question 16

What is a “fold”

Answer 16

A muscles covered in mucous

Question 17

What is the pharyngeal recess?

Answer 17

Vertical cleft between the salpingopharyngeal fold and the posterior wall of the pharynx

Question 18

When do the oropharynx and nasopharynx communicate?

Answer 18

At rest.

When swallowing and the palate is raised it seals off the space between the nasopharynx and oropharynx

Question 19

What are the contents of the oropharynx?

Answer 19

Palatoglossal arch (anterior)
Palatopharyngeal arch (posterior)
Palatine tonsil (between the arches)

Question 20

What are the contents of the laryngopahrynx?

Answer 20

Epiglottis
Glossoepiglottic folds
Valleculae
Piriform fossa

Question 21

What is the piriform fossa?

Answer 21

The space between the lateral glossoepiglottic fold and the side of the pharynx

Question 22

What is the arterial supply to the pharynx?

Answer 22

Ascending pharyngeal, superior thyroid and inferior thyroid branches fo the external carotid artery

Question 23

What is the venous drainage of the pharynx?

Answer 23

Pharyngeal venous plexus which drains into the internal jugular vein

Question 24

What is the motor supply of the muscles of the pharynx?

Answer 24

Pharyngeal plexus via X except for stylopharyngeus which is IX

Question 25

What is the sensory nerve supply of the muscles of the pharynx?

Answer 25

IX
Soft palate and roof innervated by lesser palatine (V2)
X innervates structures surrounding the laryngeal inlet