Upper respiratory anatomy Part 2: the Pharynx

Question 1

What are the 2 functions of the pharynx

Answer 1

Conducts air into:
- larynx
- trachea
- lungs

Directs food into oesophagus

Question 2

Where does the pharynx start and end

Answer 2

Starts:choanae

Ends: oesophagus (C6 vertebral level)

Question 3

What are the 3 divisions of the pharynx

Answer 3

• Nasal
• oral
• laryngeal

Question 4

How are these 2 divisions of the pharynx closed and give examples of when they are closed:

• nasopharynx
• oropharynx

Answer 4

Nasopharynx: closed by lifting the soft palate

Example: during swallowing

Oropharynx: closed via depression of the soft palate

Example: during nose breathing

Question 5

what are the 3 circular constrictor muscles in the pharynx

Answer 5

• superior constrictor
• middle constrictor
• inferior constrictor

Question 6

what type of muscles are muscles of pharynx?

Answer 6

voluntary skeletal muscles

Question 7

what are the 3 longitudinal elevator muscles in the pharynx

Answer 7

• salpingopharyngeus
• palatopharyngeus
• stylopharyngeus

Question 8

what nerve supplies the stylopharyngeus

Answer 8

Glossopharyngeal nerve (CN IX)

Question 9

what nerve supplies the salpingopharyngeus, palatopharyngeus and the superior, middle and inferior constrictors?

Answer 9

• Vagus nerve (CN X)

Question 10

internal anatomy of the pharynx

what is the place called where the nasopharynx becomes the oropharynx and what does it do during swallowing

Answer 10

• the pharyngeal isthmus
• closes during swallowing

Question 11

what are tonsils?

Answer 11

lymphoid tissue aggregation

Question 12

where are these tonsils found:

• adenoids ( pharyngeal tonsils )
• palatine tonsils
• lingual tonsils

Answer 12

adenoids:
- in nasopharynx

palatine tonsils:
- oropharynx

lingual tonsils:
- oropharynx

Question 13

what marks the start of the laryngopharynx

Answer 13

the epiglottis

Question 14

where does the retropharyngeal space lie and what can collections in this space lead to

Answer 14

• lies behind the pharynx
• collections can lead to airway obstruction

Question 15

what is the sensory nerve supply to the nasopharynx

Answer 15

the maxillary division of the trigeminal nerve

Question 16

what is the sensory nerve supply to the oropharynx and stylopharyngeus

Answer 16

glossopharyngeal nerve (CN IX)

Question 17

what is the sensory nerve supply to the laryngopharynx + the taste sensation from the pharynx

Answer 17

• the vagus nerve (CN X)

Question 18

what 3 things can loss of sensory or motor nerve supply to half of the pharynx lead to and give reason 2 of them

Answer 18

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)

Question 19

what is the most feared complication of dysphagia

Answer 19

aspiration pneumonia

Question 20

what nerve supplies the tensor veli palatini

Answer 20

mandibular division of trigeminal nerve (CN V3)

Question 21

what is the nasopharynx supplied by?

Answer 21

supplied by the maxillary (V2) division of trigeminal nerve (CN V)

Question 22

what is the oropharynx + stylopharyngeus muscle supplied by

Answer 22

supplied glossopharyngeal nerve (CN IX)

Question 23

what is the laryngopharynx and the taste sensation from the pharynx supplied by?

Answer 23

supplied by the vagus nerve