Week 9: Pharynx, Hard & Soft Palate

Question 1

what are the 3 divisions of the pharynx

Answer 1

nasopharynx
oropharynx
laryngopharynx

Question 2

boundaries of the nasopharynx

Answer 2

Extends from posterior border of nasal septum to soft palate

Question 3

the nose opens through the nasopharynx via

Answer 3

2 openings = choanae

Question 4

boundaries of the oropharynx

Answer 4

soft palate, base of tongue, superior border of epiglottis

Question 5

boundaries of the laryngopharynx

Answer 5

superior border of epiglottis to inferior border of cricoid cartilage– continuous with oesophagus.

Question 6

The laryngopharynx communicates with the larynx through

Answer 6

laryngeal inlet on its anterior wall

Question 7

what is the piriform fossa

Answer 7

a small depression of the laryngopharyngeal cavity on either side of the laryngeal inlet

Question 8

what is the aryepiglottic fold

Answer 8

separates the laryngeal inlet from the piriform fossa

Question 9

what are the lymphoid tissues in the pharynx

Answer 9

Waldeyer’s tonsillar ring
- pharyngeal tonsils (adenoids)
- tubal tonsils
- palatine tonsils
- lingual tonsils

Question 10

features of the posterior pharynx

Answer 10

lies on the prevertebral layer of deep cervical fascia
pharyngobasilar fascia - holds nasopharynx open
the constrictor (3) muscles
elevator muscles

Question 11

what are the 3 constrictor muscles of the pharynx

Answer 11

superior constrictor, the middle constrictor, and the inferior constrictor (cricopharyngeus)

Question 12

what innervates the pharyngeal constrictors

Answer 12

CN X (vagus) via pharyngeal plexus

Question 13

what are the pharyngeal elevators + innervation

Answer 13

palatopharyngeus - CN X
stylopharyngeus - CN IX
salpingopharyngeus- CN X

Question 14

what are the 3 phases of swallowing

Answer 14

oral phase
pharyngeal phase
oesophageal phase

Question 15

describe the oral phase of degluttination

Answer 15

Food bolus is then pushed into the oropharynx by the tongue

Question 16

describe the pharyngeal phase of degluttination

Answer 16

• 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

Question 17

describe the oesophageal phase of deglutination

Answer 17

As the inferior pharyngeal constrictor contracts the upper oesophageal sphincter relaxes allowing the food bolus into the oesophagus

Question 18

what is the hard palate formed by

Answer 18

Ant ¾ formed by palatine process of maxilla and the

post ¼ by the horizontal process of palatine bones + overlying mucosa

Question 19

features of the hard palate

Answer 19

palatine rugae
incisive papilla lies in incisive fossa

Question 20

what is the incisive papilla

Answer 20

This is the opening of incisive canals in which the nasopalatine nerve and the greater palatine artery pass

Question 21

what is the anterior part of the soft palate strengthened by

Answer 21

palatine aponeurosis
which attaches to the posterior edge of the hard palate

Question 22

what notable feature is part of the soft palate

Answer 22

uvula

Question 23

how is the soft palate joined to the tongue and pharynx

Answer 23

thepalatoglossalandpalatopharyngeal arches

Question 24

what are the muscles of the soft palate

Answer 24

Levator veli palatini
Tensor veli palatini
Palatopharyngeus
Palatoglossus
Musculus uvulae

Question 25

what is the motor innervation for the muscles of the soft palate

Answer 25

CNX Vagus nerve
EXCEPT the tensor veli palatini which is supplied by the mandibular nerve (CN V3)

Question 26

what is the arterial supply to the palate

Answer 26

greater palatine artery - hard palate
lesser palatine artery - soft palate
(branches maxillary artery from ECA)

Question 27

what is the nerve supply to the palate

Answer 27

via CNV2

lesser palatine nerve supplies the soft palate
greater palatine nerve supplies the hard palate and gingiva to 1st premolar

Question 28

what muscles from the arches of the soft palate

Answer 28

palatoglossus (posterior)
palatopharyngeus muscles

Question 29

what are the pillars of fauces

Answer 29

space between the oral cavity and the pharynx, laterally bounded by the arches

Question 30

what is in the isthmus of the fauces (b/w fauces)

Answer 30

the tonsillar fossae with the palatine tonsils

Question 31

what are paired depressions in the oropharynx located anterior to the epiglottis and posterior to the base of tongue.

Answer 31

epiglottic vallecula

Question 32

what fascia holds the nasopharynx open?

Answer 32

pharyngobasilar

Question 33

what palatine muscles insert onto palatine aponeurosis

Answer 33

levator veli palatini
tensor veli palatini