Anatomy of the pharynx

Question 1

Main functions of pharynx?

Answer 1

Speech and swallowing

Act as sphincters

Question 2

What are the 4 layers of the wall of the pharynx?

Answer 2

Areolar, muscular, sub mucous, mucous

Question 3

Which coat contains the muscles of the wall of the pharynx?

Answer 3

Muscular layer

Question 4

What are the circular muscles of the pharynx?

Answer 4

Constrictor muscles.
Superior constrictor
Middle constrictor
Inferior constrictor

Question 5

What are the attachments of superior constrictor?

Answer 5

From pterygomadnibular raphe it fans out posteriorly to pharyngeal raphe which is anchored to the pharyngeal tubercle.
Superiorly attached to pharyngobasilar fascia

Question 6

What shares its origin with superior constrictor?

Answer 6

Buccinator

Question 7

What are all the constrictor muscles attached to posteriorly?

Answer 7

Pharyngeal raphe

Question 8

What are the attachments of middles constrictor?

Answer 8

From greater and lesser horns of hyoid bone and stylohyoid ligament (the inferior part), fans our posteriorly to pharyngeal raphe. It overlaps superior constrictor

Question 9

What are the attachments of inferior constrictor?

Answer 9

From the lateral aspect of thyroid and cricoid cartilages, fans out posteriorly to pharyngeal raphe

Question 10

What is the inferior part of the inferior constrictor known as?

Answer 10

Cricopharyngeus

Question 11

What is the superior part of the inferior constrictor known as?

Answer 11

Thyropharyngeus

Question 12

Other than constrictor muscles what other muscles are found int he wall of the pharynx?

Answer 12

Longitudinal muscles (lengthen)

Question 13

Name the longitudinal muscles

Answer 13

Palatopharyngeus, Stylopharyngeus,

Salpingopharyngeus

Question 14

What muscle is Stylopharyngeus deep to?

Answer 14

Middle constrictor

Question 15

What is the motor innervation of constrictor muscles?

Answer 15

Pharyngeal plexus from X

Question 16

What is the motor innervation of the longitudinal muscles?

Answer 16

Palatopharyngeus = X
Stylopharyngeus = IX
Salpingopharyngeus = X

Question 17

What lines the interior pharynx?

Answer 17

Mucosa

Question 18

What are the compartments of the interior pharynx?

Answer 18

Nasopharynx, oropharynx, laryngopharynx

Question 19

Where is the nasopharynx found?

Answer 19

Between the base of the skull and the soft palate

Question 20

What are the contents fo the nasopharynx?

Answer 20

Opening of the auditory tube
Salpingopharyngeal fold (small muscle covered in mucous)
Pharyngeal recess
Pharyngeal tonsils/ adenoids

Question 21

What is the salpingopharyngeal fold?

Answer 21

A small muscle (salpingopharyngeus) that is covered in mucous

Question 22

What is the pharyngeal recess?

Answer 22

Vertical cleft between salpingopharyngeal fold and posterior wall of pharynx

Question 23

What are the attachments of salpingopharyngeus?

Answer 23

Opening of auditory tube and blends into palatopharyngeus

Question 24

Where is the oropharynx found?

Answer 24

Between soft palate and floor of oral cavity

Question 25

When the soft palate is at rest: a) nasopharynx and oropharynx are closed off from each other b) nasopharynx and oropharynx communicate with each other

Answer 25

b

Question 26

When is the soft palate raised?

Answer 26

Swallowing

Question 27

When the soft palate is raised: a) it forms a seal between the oropharynx and nasopharynx b) it allows the oropharynx and nasopharynx to communicate

Answer 27

a

Question 28

What are the contents of the oropharynx?

Answer 28

Palatoglossal arch, palatopharyngeal arch, | palatine tonsil

Question 29

Where is the palatine tonsil found?

Answer 29

Between the palatoglossal and palatopharyngeal arches

Question 30

Which is larger and more posterior? a) palatophayrngeal arch b) palatoglossal arch

Answer 30

a

Question 31

What layer of fascia is deep to the palatine tonsil?

Answer 31

Pharyngobasilar fascia

Question 32

What does pharyngobasilar fascia form the superior attachment of?

Answer 32

Superior constrictor

Question 33

What is the function of the pharyngobasilar fascia?

Answer 33

Keeps airway open at rest

Question 34

What does pharyngobasilar fascia lie upon?

Answer 34

Superior constrictor, palatoglossus, styloglossus and IX

Question 35

Where is the laryngopharynx located?

Answer 35

Between the superior border of the epiglottis and the inferior border of the cricoid cartilage (C6)

Question 36

What is the function of epiglottis?

Answer 36

Guards the opening of the larynx - closes windpipe whilst eating so don't inhale food

Question 37

What are the glossoepiglottic folds?

Answer 37

Attach epiglottis to tongue

Question 38

What are the valleculae?

Answer 38

2 small depressions either side of glossoepiglottic folds

Question 39

Where is the piriform recess?

Answer 39

Between the lateral gloss epiglottic fold and side of the pharynx

Question 40

What is the main sensory innervation fo the pharynx?

Answer 40

IX

Question 41

What provides sensory innervation to soft palate and pharyngeal roof?

Answer 41

V2 - lesser palatine

Question 42

What provides sensory innervation around the laryngeal inlet?

Answer 42

X

Question 43

What provides the arterial supply to the pharynx?

Answer 43

Ascending pharyngeal, superior thyroid, inferior thyroid. | Soft palate and tonsils supplied by branches of facial and maxillary aswell

Question 44

What is the ascending pharyngeal artery a branch of?

Answer 44

External carotid

Question 45

What is the superior thyroid artery a branch of?

Answer 45

External carotid artery

Question 46

What is inferior thyroid artery a branch of?

Answer 46

Thyrocervical trunk (subclavian)

Question 47

What is the venous drainage of the pharynx?

Answer 47

Pharyngeal venous plexus which drains into internal jugular vein