Anatomy - Pharynx, Larynx and Neck Spaces I and II

Question 1

How long is the pharynx?

Answer 1

It is a 5 inch (13cm muscular tube) It extends from the base of the skull to the lower border of the cricoid cartilage (C6 level)

Question 2

What are the 3 parts of the pharynx?

Answer 2

The Nasopharynx

The Oropharynx

The Laryngopharynx

Question 3

What does the posterior border of the pharynx come in contact with?

Answer 3

The prevertebral fascia

Posterior to the nasal and oral cavities

Posterior to the larynx

Question 4

What does the larynx connect?

Answer 4

The pharynx and the trachea

Question 5

What is the role of the larynx?

Answer 5

It prevents foreign bodies from entering the airways

It is important for sound production

Question 6

What is the larynx made up of?

Answer 6

3 paired and 3 unpaired cartilages:

Paired:

Arytenoid

Corniculate

Cuneiform

Unpaired:

Thyroid

Cricoid

Epiglottis

Question 7

Where is the larynx located?

Answer 7

In midline opposite the Ce - C6 vertebrae

Question 8

What structures are connected by the stylohyoid ligament?

Answer 8

The styloid process and the lesser horn of the hyoid bone.

Question 9

How are the occipital bone and sphenoid connected?

Answer 9

They are connected by a sphenooccipital synchondrosis. this ossifies early in life so in adults it is rare to see

Question 10

Which structures in the neck are important for swallowing?

Answer 10

Epiglottis and the hyoid bone

Question 11

What is the valecula?

Answer 11

Valecula is the space between the epiglottis and the lower tongue

Question 12

What is the clinical significance of the valecula?

Answer 12

It creates a space for food to rot causing halitosis in older individuals.

Question 13

Which unpaired cartilage is attached directly to the paired cartilages?

Answer 13

The cricoid cartilage is attached to the corniculate and arytenoid cartilage.

Question 14

What structure covers the cricoid ligament?

Answer 14

Cricothyroid muscle surrounds the cricoid cartilage and is superficial to it

Question 15

What structure connects the hyoid bone to the thyroid cartilage?

Answer 15

The thyrohyoid membrane

Question 16

What structure hangs below the cricoid cartilage?

Answer 16

Cricoid cartilage is continuous with the trachea

Question 17

What structure is located posterior to the larynx?

Answer 17

The laryngopharynx covers the larynx from behind

Question 18

What forms the superior laryngeal aperture?

Answer 18

Superiorly and anteriorly by the epiglottic cartilage

The ary-epiglottic fold on both sides

The arytenoid cartilages from behind

Question 19

What is the hole in the wall of the larynx formed by upper and lower folds near the cricoid cartilage called? What are the folds above and below it called?

Answer 19

The vestibule

The folds above and below are the vestibular fold above and the vocal fold below. (vocal ligament located here)

Question 20

Where are the arytenoid cartilages located?

Answer 20

They are connected above the cricoid cartilage and articulate with the cricoid cartilage.

Question 21

What is the colliculus?

Answer 21

The posterior side of the arytenoid cartilage which has a smooth concave surface

Question 22

What does the vocal ligament attach to?

Answer 22

The vocal process at the bottom of the arytenoid cartilage.

Question 23

What part of the arytenoid do muscles of the larynx attach to?

Answer 23

The muscular process (posteriorly)

Lateral border

And anterior convex surface

Question 24

What does the corniculate cartilage look like?

Answer 24

It is a broad inward projection of the top of the arytenoid cartilage

Question 25

How do the arytenoid cartilages move?

Answer 25

They can move medially/laterally They can also rotate on their own axis

Question 26

What is the conus elasticus?

Answer 26

The vocal ligament is not alone in space. it is connected to the cricoid cartilage upper borders via a thin membrane of cartilage called the conus elasticus. The anterior part of the conus elasticus is attached to the thyroid cartilage.

Question 27

What is the opening of the vocal ligaments called?

Answer 27

The rima glottis or vocal opening

Question 28

What external structure can be damaged leading to problems with voice?

Answer 28

Voice can be affected by laryngeal nerve

Question 29

What is the pharyngotympanic tube?

Answer 29

The eustachian tube aka the auditory tube

Question 30

What 4 regions are most important for describing the location of pathology?

Answer 30

Sternocleidomastoid region Posterior cervical region Lateral cervical region Anterior cervical region

Question 31

What structures form the submandibular triangle?

Answer 31

The submandibular triangle (or submaxillary or digastric triangle) corresponds to the region of the neck immediately beneath the body of the mandible. Above, by the lower border of the body of the mandible, and a line drawn from its angle to the mastoid process. Below, by the posterior belly of the Digastricus; in front, by the anterior belly of the Digastricus. It is covered by the integument, superficial fascia, Platysma, and deep fascia, ramifying in which are branches of the facial nerve and ascending filaments of the cutaneous cervical nerve.

Question 32

What structures are found in the submandibular triangle?

Answer 32

The submandibular glands

Question 33

Where is the submental triangle located?

Answer 33

More anterior to the submandibular triangle.

Question 34

Where is the carotid triangle located?

Answer 34

Posterior to the muscular triangle which contains the carotids.

Question 35

Where is the muscular triangle located?

Answer 35

It is in the area between the hyoid and the clavicle

Question 36

Which space is the parotid gland located in?

Answer 36

In the parotid space. Parotid space is a small area.

Question 37

What is located

Answer 37

Masticator space has masseter and the 2 pterygoid muscles. Remember hyoid bone, thyroid cartilage, cricoid cartilage are all connected to each other