Upper respiratory anatomy Part 2: the Pharynx Flashcards
What are the 2 functions of the pharynx
Conducts air into:
- larynx
- trachea
- lungs
Directs food into oesophagus
Where does the pharynx start and end
Starts:choanae
Ends: oesophagus (C6 vertebral level)
What are the 3 divisions of the pharynx
- Nasal
- oral
- laryngeal
How are these 2 divisions of the pharynx closed and give examples of when they are closed:
- nasopharynx
- oropharynx
Nasopharynx: closed by lifting the soft palate
Example: during swallowing
Oropharynx: closed via depression of the soft palate
Example: during nose breathing
what are the 3 circular constrictor muscles in the pharynx
- superior constrictor
- middle constrictor
- inferior constrictor
what type of muscles are muscles of pharynx?
voluntary skeletal muscles
what are the 3 longitudinal elevator muscles in the pharynx
- salpingopharyngeus
- palatopharyngeus
- stylopharyngeus
what nerve supplies the stylopharyngeus
Glossopharyngeal nerve (CN IX)
what nerve supplies the salpingopharyngeus, palatopharyngeus and the superior, middle and inferior constrictors?
- Vagus nerve (CN X)
internal anatomy of the pharynx
what is the place called where the nasopharynx becomes the oropharynx and what does it do during swallowing
- the pharyngeal isthmus
- closes during swallowing
what are tonsils?
lymphoid tissue aggregation
where are these tonsils found:
- adenoids ( pharyngeal tonsils )
- palatine tonsils
- lingual tonsils
adenoids:
- in nasopharynx
palatine tonsils:
- oropharynx
lingual tonsils:
- oropharynx
what marks the start of the laryngopharynx
the epiglottis
where does the retropharyngeal space lie and what can collections in this space lead to
- lies behind the pharynx
- collections can lead to airway obstruction
what is the sensory nerve supply to the nasopharynx
the maxillary division of the trigeminal nerve
what is the sensory nerve supply to the oropharynx and stylopharyngeus
glossopharyngeal nerve (CN IX)
what is the sensory nerve supply to the laryngopharynx + the taste sensation from the pharynx
- the vagus nerve (CN X)
what 3 things can loss of sensory or motor nerve supply to half of the pharynx lead to and give reason 2 of them
Diminished gag reflex because:
- CN IX sensory loss
- CN X motor loss
Poor swallowing reflex because:
- pharyngeal and laryngeal muscle paralysis due to CN X loss
Dysphagia (difficulty swallowing)
what is the most feared complication of dysphagia
aspiration pneumonia
what nerve supplies the tensor veli palatini
mandibular division of trigeminal nerve (CN V3)
what is the nasopharynx supplied by?
supplied by the maxillary (V2) division of trigeminal nerve (CN V)
what is the oropharynx + stylopharyngeus muscle supplied by
supplied glossopharyngeal nerve (CN IX)
what is the laryngopharynx and the taste sensation from the pharynx supplied by?
supplied by the vagus nerve
