Anatomy of the upper respiratory system

Question 1

Explain the patterns of pain referral from the paranasal air sinuses

Question 2

Explain the patterns of pain referral from the pharynx - You should, therefore, be able to deduce the possible locations of pain associated with injury/infection/inflammation of a given region, or vice versa.

Answer 2

Inflammation or presence of a tumour in the laryngopharynx can result in pain on the outer ear. The outer ear is supplied by the same nerve - vagus nerve.
Ear - the AURICULAR nerve
Laryngopharynx - the SUPERIOR LARYGAL BRANCH
Both branches of the vagus nerve synapse in the same region in the medulla in the brain, therefore it “confuses” the brain, making it think there is pain in the ear.

Question 3

What happens if nerve innervation is compromised for the stylopharyngeus?

Question 4

Identify and describe the structure, function, mucosal lining, anatomical relations, and sensory nerve supply of the NASAL CAVITY

Question 5

Identify and describe the structure, function, mucosal lining, anatomical relations, and sensory nerve supply of the PARANASAL AIR SINUSES

Question 6

Identify and describe the structure and nerve supply of the following parts of the upper respiratory tract in the head and neck: Pharynx - OROPHARYNX

Question 7

Identify and describe the structure and nerve supply of the following parts of the upper respiratory tract in the head and neck: Pharynx - NASOPHARYNX

Question 8

Identify and describe the structure and nerve supply of the following parts of the upper respiratory tract in the head and neck: Pharynx - LARYNGOPHARYNX

Question 9

Identify and describe the structure and nerve supply of the following parts of the upper respiratory tract in the head and neck: LARYNX

Question 10

Describe the MOVEMENT OF VOCAL FOLDS and the muscles responsible for each movement.

Question 11

Describe the origin (in the neck) and functions of the laryngeal nerves and the consequences of damage to these nerves.

Question 12

Identify and describe the structure, contents and nerve supply of the external and middle ear, and explain how they relate to the pharynx

Question 13

Demonstrate how to examine the tympanic membrane using an otoscope and be able to identify the main anatomical features visible through the scope

Question 14

Describe the mucosal lining of the middle ear, and explain what this means in terms of infection and/or blockage of drainage of the region

Question 15

Describe the important anatomical relations of the MIDDLE EAR

Question 16

Identify the auditory ossicles, explain their function and state the type of joint found between each of them

Question 17

Outline the types of disease that could affect the auditory ossicles and explain the consequence of such disease

Question 18

Identify the ear-associated parts of the upper respiratory tract in the head and neck including pharyngotympanic tube, middle ear and mastoid air cells