22 - Pharynx Flashcards

1
Q

What are the divisions of the pharynx?

A
  • nasopharynx
  • oropharynx
  • laryngopharynx
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2
Q

What are the borders of the pharynx?

A

Superior - nasal cavity, cranial base
Inferior - inferior border of cricoid cartilage (at the level of C6)

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3
Q

Describe the borders of the nasopharynx.

A
  • extends from the posterior border of the nasal septum to the soft palate
  • lined with respiratory epithelium (ciliated columnar) including mucous producing goblet cells
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4
Q

What is the phrayngotympanic tube?

A

Opening from the nasopharynx to the middle ear

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5
Q

What are the tubal tonsils?

A

Protect the airway from infection, posterior and inferior to pharyngotympanic tube

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6
Q

Describe the borders of the oropharynx.

A
  • extends from the soft palate and base of tongue to the superior border of the epiglottis
  • anterior border is the fauces
  • lined with oral muscosa (stratified squamous)
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7
Q

What is the vallecula?

A
  • “little valley”
  • area behind the epiglottis
  • foreign bodies often become lodged here
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8
Q

What is the function of the epiglottis?

A
  • elastic cartilage
  • folds over to protect the larynx and trachea from food bolus
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9
Q

Describe the borders of the laryngopharynx.

A
  • superior border of epiglottis to inferior border of cricoid cartilage
  • continuous with oesophagus
  • posterior and lateral borders are the middle and inferior constrictor muscles
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10
Q

What is the piriform fossa?

A
  • muscosa lined recess behind the laryngeal inlet
  • foreign bodies often become lodged here
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11
Q

What tonsils make up Waldeyer’s ring?

A
  • pharyngeal tonsils (“adenoids”) in nasopharynx
  • tubal tonsils in nasopharynx
  • palatine tonsils (“tonsils”) in oropharynx
  • lingual tonsils on posterior 1/3 of tongue
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12
Q

What is the function of Waldeyer’s ring?

A

Protection of airways

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13
Q

What fascia is found in the nasopharynx?

A
  • pharyngobasilar fascia
  • blends with periosteum of cranial base
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14
Q

What muscles are associated with the pharynx?

A
  • 3 pharyngeal constrictors
  • 3 pharyngeal elevators
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15
Q

List the pharyngeal constrictor muscles.

A
  • superior
  • middle
  • inferior
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16
Q

List the pharyngeal elevator muscles.

A
  • salphingopharyngeus
  • palatopharyngeus
  • stylopharyngeus
17
Q

What nerve supplies the pharyngeal constrictors?

A

Vagus nerve via pharyngeal plexus

18
Q

Describe the inferior pharyngeal constrictor.

A

Lower circular part called the cricopharyngeus that forms a sphincter at the upper oesophagus

19
Q

Describe the location of the pharyngeal elevators.

A
  • originate and descend from the skull
  • fan out into the inner surface of pharynx
  • some fibres to thyroid cartilage
20
Q

What is the action of the palatopharyngeus?

A
  • elevates pharynx and larynx
  • draws soft palate downwards
21
Q

What is the action of stylopharyngeus?

A
  • originates from styloid process
  • elevates pharynx and larynx
22
Q

What is the innervation of palatopharyngeus?

A

Vagus nerve

23
Q

What is the innervation of stylopharyngeus?

A

Glossophayrngeal nerve

24
Q

What is the innervation of salphingopharyngeus?

A

Vagus nerve

25
Q

What are the stages of swallowing?

A
  • oral (voluntary)
  • pharyngeal (involuntary)
  • oesophageal (involuntary)
26
Q

Describe the oral phase of swallowing.

A
  • bolus is formed by mastication (tongue retracted)
  • tongue then pushes bolus into oropharynx
  • soft palate closes the nasopharynx
27
Q

Describe the pharyngeal phase of swallowing.

A
  • superior pharyngeal constrictor contraction and elevation of soft palate
  • pharynx elevated to receive bolus by elevators
  • pharynx contracts to push bolus towards oesophagus (constrictors)
  • epiglottis closes laryngeal inlet
28
Q

Describe the oesophageal phase of swallowing.

A
  • inferior pharyngeal constrictor contracts, upper oesophageal sphincter relaxes
  • peristaltic movements move bolus to stomach
29
Q

What is the action of salphingopharyngeus?

A
  • originates from auditory tube
  • elevates pharynx and larynx
  • opens auditory tube during swallowing for pressure equalisation