Pharynx

Question 1

where does the pharynx run from

Answer 1

cranial base to the inferior border of the cricoid cartilage

Question 2

what does the pharynx lie posterior to

Answer 2

nasal cavity, oral cavity and larynx

Question 3

what are the 3 divisions of the pharynx

Answer 3

nasopharynx, oropharynx, laryngopharynx

Question 4

where does the nasopharynx run from

Answer 4

posterior border of nasal septum to soft palate

Question 5

where does the oropharynx run from

Answer 5

soft palate to superior border of epiglottis

Question 6

where does the laryngopharynx run from

Answer 6

superior border of epiglottis to inferior border of cricoid cartilage

Question 7

where is the fauces

Answer 7

between palatoglossal and palatopharyngeal arches

Question 8

what is the nasopharynx lined with

Answer 8

respiratory epithelium (ciliated epithelium lined with goblet cells)

Question 9

what tube opens into the nasopharynx

Answer 9

auditory tube

Question 10

what is the pharyngeal recess

Answer 10

a slit like projection behind the auditory tube

Question 11

what are the boundaries of the oropharynx

Answer 11

soft palate, base of tongue, superior border of epiglottis

Question 12

what epithelium lines the oropharynx

Answer 12

stratified squamous

Question 13

where do the palatine tonsils sit

Answer 13

in the tonsillar fossa

Question 14

what is the vallecula

Answer 14

a recess behind the epiglottis where hard objects can get stuck

Question 15

what are the boundaries of the laryngoharynx

Answer 15

superior border of epiglottis to inferior border of cricoid cartilage

Question 16

what are the posterior and lateral walls of the laryngopharynx made of

Answer 16

inferior and middle pharyngeal constrictor muscles

Question 17

what is the internal wall of the laryngopharynx made of

Answer 17

palatopharyngeus and stylopharyngeus

Question 18

how does the laryngopharynx communicate with the larynx

Answer 18

through the laryngeal inlet

Question 19

what is the piriform recess/fossa

Answer 19

small depression of laryngopharyngeal cavity on either side of laryngeal inlet

Question 20

if something gets lodged in the piriform fossa, what nerves are vulnerable

Answer 20

internal and recurrent laryngeal

Question 21

how does food get stuck in the piriform fossa

Answer 21

when food passes the epiglottis it gets pushed to the side and it causes it to pass along the piriform recess/fossa

Question 22

what type of tissue forms waldeyers ring

Answer 22

lymphoid tissue

Question 23

what tonsils forms waldeyers tonsillar ring

Answer 23

pharyngeal, tubal, palatine, lingual

Question 24

where are the pharyngeal tonsils

Answer 24

in the nasopharynx

Question 25

where are the tubal tonsils

Answer 25

around the tympanic tube opening in nasopharynx

Question 26

where are the palatine tonsils

Answer 26

in the fauces/oropharynx

Question 27

where are the lingual tonsils

Answer 27

in posterior third of tongue

Question 28

what are the function of the tonsils

Answer 28

protection of airways and immune function

Question 29

what holds the nasopharynx open

Answer 29

stiff pharyngobasilar fascia

Question 30

what are the 3 pharyngeal constrictors

Answer 30

superior, middle and inferior

Question 31

what do pharyngeal elevators do

Answer 31

lift the pharynx and larynx to receive the food bolus from the oral cavity

Question 32

what do pharyngeal constrictors do

Answer 32

force the food bolus towards the oesophagus

Question 33

what are the pharyngeal constrictors supplied by

Answer 33

the vagus nerve via pharyngeal plexus

Question 34

which pharyngeal constrictor has the cricopharyngeus muscle

Answer 34

inferior constrictor

Question 35

what does the cricopharyngeus do

Answer 35

forms a sphincter around the upper oesophagus preventing air being drawn into the stomach during inhalation

Question 36

where do the pharyngeal elevators run

Answer 36

from the skull to fan out into the inner surface of the pharynx

Question 37

what are the pharyngeal elevators

Answer 37

palatopharyngeus, stylopharyngeus, salpingopharyngeus

Question 38

what does the palatopharyngeus do and what is it supplied by

Answer 38

elevates pharynx and larynx, draws soft palate downwards
vagus nerve

Question 39

where does the stylopharyngeus attach to

Answer 39

styloid process

Question 40

what does the stylopharyngeus do and what is it supplied by

Answer 40

elevate pharynx and larynx
glossopharyngeal nerve

Question 41

what is the salpingopharyngeus connected to

Answer 41

auditory tube and pharynx

Question 42

what does the salpingopharyngeus do

Answer 42

elevates pharynx and larynx, opens the auditory tube during swallowing for pressure equalisation in the middle ear

Question 43

what is the salpingopharyngeus supplied by

Answer 43

vagus nerve

Question 44

what is the oral phase of swallowing

Answer 44

bolus formed and pushed into the oropharynx by the tongue

Question 45

what is the pharyngeal phase of swallowing

Answer 45

superior pharyngeal constrictor contraction and soft palate elevation
pharyngeal elevation to receive food bolus (by pharyngeal elevators)
bolus pushed towards oesophagus (by pharyngeal constrictors)
epiglottis closes laryngeal inlet

Question 46

what is the oesophageal phase of swallowing

Answer 46

as the inferior pharyngeal constrictor contracts, the upper oesophageal sphincter relaxes allowing the food bolus into oesophagus
peristaltic movements move the food bolus towards the stomach

Question 47

where does the oropharynx run from

Answer 47

soft palate to superior border of epiglottis