Week 9: Pharynx, Hard & Soft Palate Flashcards
what are the 3 divisions of the pharynx
nasopharynx
oropharynx
laryngopharynx
boundaries of the nasopharynx
Extends from posterior border of nasal septum to soft palate
the nose opens through the nasopharynx via
2 openings = choanae
boundaries of the oropharynx
soft palate, base of tongue, superior border of epiglottis
boundaries of the laryngopharynx
superior border of epiglottis to inferior border of cricoid cartilage– continuous with oesophagus.
The laryngopharynx communicates with the larynx through
laryngeal inlet on its anterior wall
what is the piriform fossa
a small depression of the laryngopharyngeal cavity on either side of the laryngeal inlet
what is the aryepiglottic fold
separates the laryngeal inlet from the piriform fossa
what are the lymphoid tissues in the pharynx
Waldeyer’s tonsillar ring
- pharyngeal tonsils (adenoids)
- tubal tonsils
- palatine tonsils
- lingual tonsils
features of the posterior pharynx
lies on the prevertebral layer of deep cervical fascia
pharyngobasilar fascia - holds nasopharynx open
the constrictor (3) muscles
elevator muscles
what are the 3 constrictor muscles of the pharynx
superior constrictor, the middle constrictor, and the inferior constrictor (cricopharyngeus)
what innervates the pharyngeal constrictors
CN X (vagus) via pharyngeal plexus
what are the pharyngeal elevators + innervation
palatopharyngeus - CN X
stylopharyngeus - CN IX
salpingopharyngeus- CN X
what are the 3 phases of swallowing
oral phase
pharyngeal phase
oesophageal phase
describe the oral phase of degluttination
Food bolus is then pushed into the oropharynx by the tongue
describe the pharyngeal phase of degluttination
- Superior pharyngeal constrictor contraction & soft palate elevation
- Pharyngeal elevation to receive food bolus
- Food bolus pushed towards the oesophagus (pharyngeal constrictors)
- Epiglottis closes the laryngeal inlet protecting the airway
describe the oesophageal phase of deglutination
As the inferior pharyngeal constrictor contracts the upper oesophageal sphincter relaxes allowing the food bolus into the oesophagus
what is the hard palate formed by
Ant ¾ formed by palatine process of maxilla and the
post ¼ by the horizontal process of palatine bones + overlying mucosa
features of the hard palate
palatine rugae
incisive papilla lies in incisive fossa
what is the incisive papilla
This is the opening of incisive canals in which the nasopalatine nerve and the greater palatine artery pass
what is the anterior part of the soft palate strengthened by
palatine aponeurosis
which attaches to the posterior edge of the hard palate
what notable feature is part of the soft palate
uvula
how is the soft palate joined to the tongue and pharynx
thepalatoglossalandpalatopharyngeal arches
what are the muscles of the soft palate
Levator veli palatini
Tensor veli palatini
Palatopharyngeus
Palatoglossus
Musculus uvulae
