Throat Anatomy and Physiology

Question 1

What is a Bifid Uvula and what is the clinical significance?

Answer 1

Split in the Uvula
Congenital

Associated with cleft palate
Need to check

Question 2

Describe the oral cavity

Answer 2

2 parts:

• Oral vestibule (between lips and teeth)
• Oral cavity proper

Boundaries:

• lips to palatoglossal arch (anterior pillar)
• Palate to floor of mouth/tongue
• Buccal mucosa

Question 3

Describe the course of the parotid duct

Answer 3

Pierces the buccinator muscle, then opening up into the oral cavity on the inner surface of the cheek, usually opposite the maxillary second molar

Question 4

Describe the course of the submandibular duct

Answer 4

Lying superior to the digastric muscle, each submandibular gland is divided into superficial and deep lobes, which are separated by the mylohyoid muscle

Question 5

Describe the lingual nerve

Answer 5

Supplies the general somatic afferent innervation from the anterior two-thirds of the tongue.
The lingual nerve is a branch of the mandibular division of the trigeminal nerve.
It also carries nerve fibres that are not part of the trigeminal nerve, including the chorda tympani nerve of the facial nerve, which provides special sensation (taste) to the anterior 2/3 part of the tongue

Question 6

What are functions of the oral cavity?

Answer 6

Taste
Mastication (teeth, tongue)
Speech (tongue, cheek, lips)
Digestion (salivary enzymes)
Swallowing (tongue, hard and soft palate

Question 7

Describe the innervation of the tongue

Answer 7

2 parts:

Anterior 2/3rds

• From 1st branchial arch
• Sensation by lingual nerve (branch of CN V3)
• Taste by chorda tympani) (branch of CN VII)

Posterior 1/3rd

• From 3rd branchial arch
• Supplied by CN IX

Filliform papillae DO NOT contain taste buds

Question 8

Describe the muscles and nerves involved in the movement of the tongue

Answer 8

Contains:

• Intrinsic muscles (alter shape)
• Extrinsic muscles (alter position)

Nerve supply:
-CN XII: hypoglossal nerve supply all except for palatoglossus (pharyngeal plexus- CN IX-X)

Question 9

What are the functions of the tongue?

Answer 9

Taste
Mastication
Swallowing
Speech

Question 10

What are the extrinsic muscles of the tongue?

Answer 10

Genioglossus, Styloglossus, Hyoglossus and Palatoglossus

Question 11

Describe the muscles of mastication and their innervation

Answer 11

Four Muscles:

• Lateral pterygoid
• Medial ptergoid
• Temporalis
• Masseter

Nerve Supply:
-CN V3

Function:
-Acting on TMJ

Question 12

What are the boundaries of the oropharynx?

Answer 12

Lower border of soft palate to upper margin of epiglottis

Palatoglossal arch to posterior pharyngeal wall

Lateral: faucial pillars and palatine tonsils

Question 13

What is the epithelium and nerve supply of the oropharynx?

Answer 13

Stratifies, non-keratinised squamous

Pharyngeal plexus- CN IX and X

Question 14

What is the blood and nerve supply of the hypopharynx?

Answer 14

Blood supply:

• Superior Thyroid artery,
• Lingual Artery
• Ascending Pharyngeal Artery

Nerve supply is from the pharyngeal plexus (CN IX and X)

Question 15

Describe how speech is created

Answer 15

Respiration:

• Source of energy: air flow
• Inhalation and exhalation

Phonation:
-Flow of air through different Vc position, tension, vibration and length

Resonation:

• Oral/nasal speech balance
• Depend on nasopharynx, nasal cavity and oral cavity

Articulation:
-Production of speech, determined by action of lips, tongue and jaw

Prosody:

• Production of syllable stress and emphasis
• Provide effective speech tone