Lecture 19

Question 1

Describe the innervation and blood supply of the pharynx

Answer 1

Innervation:
Vagus Nerve via the pharyngeal plexus EXCEPT for the Stylopharyngeus muscle that is innervated by CN IX (glossopharyngeal nerve)

(The lower part of the inferior constrictor is supplied by recurrent laryngeal nerves that branch off of the vagus nerve)

Blood supply: Ascending pharyngeal artery

Question 2

Compare the structures that are within the Gap above the superior pharyngeal constrictor and the Gap above the middle pharyngeal constrictor.

Answer 2

Gap above the superior constrictor:
Auditory Tube
Tonsillar Bed
(Closed by the pharyngobasilar fascia)

Gap above the middle constrictor:
Stylopharyngeus muscle
Glossopharyngeal nerve (innervates the stylopharyngeus)

Question 3

Which pharyngeal muscle functions as the sphincter between the oral cavity and the pharynx?

Answer 3

Palatopharyngeus

Question 4

What pharyngeal muscle originates from the torus tubarius and inserts into the mid pharynx musculature?

Answer 4

Salpingopharyngeus

Question 5

Of the 2 nerves that innervate the pharynx, state which is the nerve of the 3rd pharyngeal arch and which is the nerve of the 4th pharyngeal arch

Answer 5

Glossopharyngeal nerve = nerve of the 3rd pharyngeal arch

Vagus nerve = nerve of the 4th pharyngeal arch

Question 6

What body structure functions as a compound sphincter that closes the airway during swallowing/valsalva maneuver and constricts the airway for phonation?

Answer 6

the Larynx

Question 7

State the 3 paired cartilages that can be found in the larynx

Answer 7

Arytenoid

Corniculate

Cuneiform

Question 8

What is the only bone in the body that does NOT articulate with another bone? Describe what keeps it in place as well

Answer 8

Hyoid bone

held in place by lots of muscles

Question 9

Where in the laryngeal skeleton is the most common place for lodgement to occur?

Answer 9

in the Vallecular recesses of the epiglottis

Located superior to preform recesses, just lateral to the epiglottis

Question 10

The piriform fossae are _____ to the lateral glossoepiglottic folds

Answer 10

inferior

Question 11

Describe the innervation of the epiglottis

Answer 11

The Glossopharyngeal nerve supplies the sensory innervation of the upper epiglottic surface

The Superior Laryngeal nerve (CN X) supplies the tastebuds of the epiglottis AND the sensation of the lower surface of the epiglottis

Question 12

Which nerve is responsible for inducing the cough reflex in the epiglottis?

Answer 12

The superior laryngeal nerve (CN X)

provides sensation to the lower surface of the epiglottis

Question 13

Compare the angles of the superior thyroid notch between most males and females

Answer 13

Males = 90 degrees

Females = 120 degrees

Question 14

What vertebral level does the cricoid cartilage sit at?

Answer 14

C6

Question 15

What cartilaginous structures articulate with the cricoid via ball and socket joints? What other cartilaginous structure do these support?

Answer 15

Arytenoids

They support the corniculate cartilages

Question 16

Where is the attachment site for the vocal ligament?

Answer 16

Vocal processes of the Arytenoid cartilages

Question 17

What is the most narrow part of the laryngeal cavity? explain why it is so narrow

Answer 17

the Rima Glottidis

bc it opens and closes to regulate the passage of air

Question 18

Compare the “false” and “true” vocal cords

Answer 18

False vocal cords: Rima vestibuli
(the space between the vestibular folds)
(basically the narrowing of the airway just superior to the actual vocal cords)

True vocal cords: Vocal ligaments

Question 19

Compare the rima vestibuli to the rima glottidis

Answer 19

Rima vestibuli: space between the VESTIBULAR folds

Rima glottidis: Space between the VOCAL folds
most narrow part of the airway

Question 20

State where the following branches of the vagus nerve innervate

External Laryngeal branch:

Inferior laryngeal branch:

Internal laryngeal branch:

Answer 20

External Laryngeal branch: Cricothyroid muscle

Inferior laryngeal branch:
Motor to all remaining muscles (except cricothyroid) of the larynx
Sensory to the mucosa of the larynx BELOW the vocal folds

Internal laryngeal branch:
Sensory to mucosa ABOVE vocal folds
Sensory to Piriform recess and vallecula (can be anesthetized in the floor of the piriform recess)

Question 21

State the 2 main arteries that compose the blood supply network to the larynx

Answer 21

Superior laryngeal artery

Inferior laryngeal artery